Gentoo Penguin Chicks Hatch at Edinburgh Zoo

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: May 9, 2021 1:20 am

A gentoo penguin chick is held by its keeper at the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland

Photo Credit: RZSS

The first pictures of 9 gentoo penguin chicks hatched this year have been released by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Edinburgh Zoo. 

Staff at the wildlife conservation charity are excited to share the 9 chicks that have hatched so far with more expected in the coming weeks. The first month is seen as critical for the survival of the hatchlings and keepers will support them through this.

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Muffins and Mittens were the first parents to successfully welcome their chick this year on May 1st.

The chicks have joined the 100 strong colony at Edinburgh Zoo which is made up of gentoo, king and northern rockhopper penguins.

A gentoo penguin chick pictured in the nest with its parent at the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland

Photo Credit: RZSS

At hatching the chicks weigh in at 98g (3.5oz). By the time they are adults they will be weighing in between 4.5 and 8.5kg (9.9-18.7lbs).

If you can’t get to Edinburgh Zoo to meet the penguins you can watch them care for their chicks on Penguin Cam.

Edinburgh Zoo Penguin Cam – https://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/webcams/penguin-cam/#penguincam

A gentoo penguin chick is held by its keeper at the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland

Photo Credit: RZSS

Learn more about Gentoo Penguins here – Gentoo Penguin Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about the Edinburgh Zoo on their website – Edinburgh Zoo