It is an exciting time of the year for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) as they welcome new and adorable members of their big zoo family over the warmer months.
The charity behind everybody's favourite Edinburgh Zoo has shared images of newly-hatched gentoo penguin chicks as five of them have emerged to the world, with more to follow over the upcoming weeks.
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The Penguin Rock area - undoubtedly one of the visitors' favourites in the capital's zoo - is now filled with excited penguin parents looking forward to meeting their new chicks.
Among those who have been so far blessed with adorable addition to their families are two penguin couples - Muffin and Mittens, who welcomed a new chick on Monday 2 May 2022, and Draco and Silvey, who became parents to two chicks on Sunday 8 May.
While delighted by the news, the RZSS notes that the first month is critical for the chick's development and is prepared to dedicate time and effort to providing the best care to the little chicks as they grow.
Home to over 100 penguins from three species - King, Northern Rockhopper and Gentoo - Edinburgh Zoo announced earlier this year, in April, that two endangered Northern Rockhopper penguin chicks had hatched.
You can catch a glimpse of the action on the zoo's website with their special live penguin camera here.
