Edinburgh Zoo welcomes three new penguin chicks

Three northern rockhopper penguin chicks hatched recently at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo.

This makes it the most successful penguin breeding season at the zoo in over 27 years. Only days old, the chicks will remain on their nests with their parents until they reach around 3 months. You can keep an eye on the penguins by clicking here.

Dawn Nicoll, senior penguin keeper, said: “We are very excited to welcome three new chicks to our rockhopper colony. It has been amazing to watch the new parents caring for their young and being very attentive, though we aren’t out of the woods yet as the first 30 days are crucial for a newborn chick’s development.

“Last year we welcomed Maui, the first northern rockhopper to hatch at the zoo in eight years, so to follow that success with three chicks is amazing. We are very proud that this has been the best rockhopper breeding season at the zoo in more than a quarter of a century. The northern rockhopper is an endangered species so we hope that our newest arrivals will go on to play their role in helping to safeguard the future of their species.”

The new chicks join the zoo’s colony at Penguins Rock, which is also home to gentoo, northern rockhopper and king penguins.