PENGUIN chick season has officially begun at Edinburgh Zoo, where two northern rockhoppers weighing just 63g and 95g have hatched just in time for World Penguin Day on Saturday.
Known for its distinctive spiky yellow-and-black eyebrow feathers, the northern rockhopper penguin is an endangered species of crested penguin that live on remote and rocky islands.
The South Atlantic population lives on the Tristan da Cunha archipelago and Gough Island and the South Indian Ocean population lives on Amsterdam and St Paul islands.
Born to parents Bruce and Pinhead, and Wesley and Penny, the new hatchlings are already wooing keepers with their personalities.
Alison MacLean, animal team leader at Edinburgh Zoo, said: “This is my favourite time of year.
“The chicks are so tiny at this stage, weighing the same a small kiwi fruit.
Alison said: “One is very vocal at weigh-in while the other prefers to snuggle under the parents and avoid the spotlight.
“What makes this extra special is that Northern rockhoppers are Endangered.
Edinburgh Zoo is also home to two other species of penguin: king and gentoo.
The gentoo population is also brooding eggs, with the first hatchlings expected to emerge in coming weeks.
Alison added that “being able to contribute to the breeding programme, which ensures a healthy and genetically diverse population in zoos, is wonderful.”
The chicks are weighed daily and closely monitored during their first 30 days to ensure they remain healthy.
During each check, a keeper gently lifts the chick from beneath its parent and places it on a scale where weight is recorded before it is carefully returned.
Taking less than 60 seconds, the process is designed to minimise disturbance, keeping both chicks and parents calm and comfortable.
Penguin keepers at Edinburgh Zoo are hopeful for more chicks hatching in coming days.
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