Edinburgh Zoo has announced the arrival of newly-hatched gentoo penguin chicks

Edinburgh Zoo has announced the arrival of nine newly-hatched gentoo penguin chicks.

Staff at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Edinburgh Zoo will closely monitor the new chicks as the first four weeks is a critical time for them.

The first two eggs hatched on May 1 to parents Muffin and Mittens, followed by another seven new arrivals, and staff are hoping that more chicks will follow in the coming weeks.

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

The first images of this year’s newly-hatched gentoo penguin chicks have been captured at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's Edinburgh Zoo. (Pic: RZSS)

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

The zoo’s penguin cam has a view over the gentoo nesting rings and can be watched 24 hours a day on edinburghzoo.org.uk/webcams/penguin-cam

The first images of this year’s newly-hatched gentoo penguin chicks at Edinburgh Zoo. (Pic: RZSS)

Keen Penguin Cam viewers have been able to catch a glimpse of the youngsters on the charity’s live website camera and visitors hoping to see the gentoo penguin chicks in-person must pre-book zoo tickets before their visit at tickets.edinburghzoo.org.uk.

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