First penguin chicks of breeding season hatch at Edinburgh Zoo

Couple Muffin and Mittens were the first to welcome a chick.

First penguin chicks of breeding season hatch at Edinburgh ZooRZSS

The first tiny penguin chicks of breeding season have hatched at Edinburgh Zoo.

Three gentoo chicks have emerged so far and keepers at the wildlife conservation charity are hopeful more will follow in the coming weeks.

The first to become parents were couple Muffin and Mittens, who welcomed the first chick of the year on April 24.

Male and female gentoo penguins usually mate with the same partner every year and take it in turns to incubate their eggs over 34 – 37 days.  

First gentoo chicks hatch at Edinburgh ZooRZSS

Gentoo chicks weigh around 98g when they hatch which is the equivalent to half an avocado. 

Visitors will be able to spot the chicks being cared for by their parents at Edinburgh Zoo’s Penguins Rock, the largest outdoor penguin pool in Europe.

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