RZSS Edinburgh Zoo welcomed the arrival of their first rockhopper penguin chick in eight years last month – just in time for World Penguin Day on April 25th.
The new arrival, which is the first northern rockhopper penguin to hatch in the UK this year, plays a vital role in the zoo’s captive breeding programme of this threatened species, which is now classified as endangered in the wild. Rockhopper penguin numbers have been in serious decline recently, particularly in their native habitat on remote islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, where populations have droppedby as much as 90%.
Dawn Nicoll, Senior Penguin Keeper at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo, said:
“We are so pleased to welcome an endangered rockhopper penguin chick to our colony at Penguins Rock, the first rockhopper to be born at the zoo for eight years. The chick couldn’t have hatched on a better date, as World Penguin Day is a great opportunity to highlight the plight of these amazing birds.
“Mum Brucetta and dad Al have been taking it in turns to feed and care for the chick and so far, they are doing a great job; however, the first 30 days are crucial for the newborn’s development so we aren’t out of the woods yet.”
The rockhopper chick joins the colony at Penguins Rock, which is also home to 87 gentoo, 20 northern rockhopper and 9 king penguins. Penguin breeding season at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo typically lasts from March to August, with further births expected over the coming weeks.
Visitors can keep an eye on progress at the penguin nest site via the zoo’s live webcam – http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/webcam.
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