Watch: Edinburgh’s gentoo penguins share colourful pebbles during breeding season
Adorable footage shows penguins at Edinburgh Zoo sharing colourful pebbles to mark the beginning of breeding season.
The practice, known as pebbling, sees male gentoo penguins present painted rocks to their partners - a vital part of their courtship rituals.
The pebbles were painted by children being supported by Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity (ECHC) as part of their annual programme, and the first stone is traditionally placed in the enclosure by one of the young people. The children regularly watch livestreams of the gentoo penguins in hospital and will be able to watch the penguins pick through their rocks in real time on the stream.
Roslyn Neely, ECHC ceo, said: “It is truly wonderful that children and young people don’t have to miss out on their connection with nature, even while in hospital.
"During what can be the most challenging time for families, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) provides a welcome distraction and something to focus on beyond their condition, as well as a chance to bond over their love of animals.
“We are enormously grateful to the RZSS team for providing such meaningful activities and interactions. They make a real difference in the hospital experience for seriously ill children and their families.”
A spokesperson from Edinburgh Zoo said: "Discovery and community officers from the wildlife conservation charity have been taking the pebbles into the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) during weekly interactive sessions.
"This is part of an ongoing partnership that connect young patients with nature and the animals at Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park. The penguins are a favourite for children at RHCYP who love following them via RZSS’s live webcams.”