Penguin chicks move into creche at Edinburgh Zoo

The chicks have been moved into an area where they can learn to swim and feed before rejoining the main enclosure.

10 August 2011 

Penguins: The chicks have left the nest and are starting to swim. Pic: © Deadline

Penguin chicks at Edinburgh Zoo have moved into a special crèche as they learn to look after themselves.
The 57 Gentoo penguins were all born in the spring of this year and have been living in their nests.
Now they have been moved into their own area, complete with swimming pool, as they learn how to swim and feed.
The chicks will rejoin the main enclosure between now and September.
Bird team leader Colin Oulton said: “The crèche phase is something that occurs naturally in the wild, with chicks no longer remaining at the nest, but staying in the vicinity. We try to recreate this situation at Edinburgh Zoo’s penguin enclosure, which also allows the parents time to rest and rebuild their strength during their annual moult, which can be stressful for penguins.
“The chicks have settled well into the penguin crèche. It’s been a delight to see them bobbing around in the water and floating on their stomachs. The small shallow pool in the crèche is perfect place for the penguin chicks to take their first swim.
“They figure out pretty quickly how to take fish from the keepers and are now no longer relying on regurgitated food from mum and dad.”

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