Edinburgh zoo welcomes two new endangered penguins

Edinburgh zoo has welcomed two new baby penguins, after the first eggs of the season hatched.

Both are endangered Northern rockhoppers.

Rockhoppers are endangered due to climate change and overfishing.

Zookeepers are keeping a close eye on the new arrivals, as the first 30 days are critical - they are also hopeful that the gentoo penguin eggs will begin hatching soon.

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."

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

The first first Northern rockhopper chick hatched on April 14 to mum, Pinhead, and dad, Bruce, with the second arrival coming three days later on April 17 to mum, Amy, and dad, Gordon.

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