Endangered Northern rockhopper penguin chicks born at Edinburgh Zoo

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has announced the arrival of two endangered penguin chicks at Edinburgh Zoo.

The first Northern rockhopper chick hatched on April 14, 2022, to mum Pinhead and dad Bruce, and the second on April 17 to mum Amy and dad Gordon.

Edinburgh Zoo is home to over 100 penguins from three species: king, Northern rockhopper, and gentoo.

Keepers are hopeful gentoo penguin eggs will begin hatching in coming weeks.

RZSS is part of the European breeding programme for Northern rockhopper penguins, and has also worked to help safeguard the species in the wild for many years.

Dawn Nicoll, senior penguin keeper at Edinburgh Zoo, said, “Northern rockhopper penguins are endangered due to climate change, changes in marine ecosystems and overfishing, so it is really exciting to welcome these new chicks.

“The first 30 days are critical for their development, so we will be keeping a close eye on them at this sensitive time.

“Our gentoo penguins are sitting on eggs too, and we hope they will begin to hatch in the coming weeks. All going well, it won’t be long before visitors can spot the youngsters with the rest of our colony at Penguins Rock.

“Every visit to the zoo helps care for the amazing animals, like our penguins, and supports our charity’s vital conservation work around the world.”