Seven penguin chicks at London Zoo have taken their first plunge into the main pool as temperatures soared to 31C in the capital. The young Humboldt penguins made their debut swim in the 450,000 litre pool at Penguin Beach on Friday.
The chicks are among 18 that hatched this summer at the zoo in Regent's Park. They spent their first few weeks learning to swim in a smaller nursery pool before graduating to join the main 63-strong penguin colony.
Youngest chicks still practising
The remaining 11 youngest chicks are still perfecting their diving and penguin paddle techniques before they can move to the bigger pool. London Zoo said the special nursery pool provides the perfect training ground for the new arrivals.
Jess Fryer, section manager for penguins and flying birds at London Zoo, said the 18 new Humboldt penguins mark "a significant milestone" in efforts to protect the species. Wild populations have been shrinking due to habitat loss, overfishing and climate change.
Chicks get creative names
"Having 18 new arrivals on Penguin Beach is so much fun, and has certainly kept us busy," Fryer said. The nursery pool allows chicks to get used to the water and learn to swim before joining the main colony.
Among the chicks graduating to the big pool this week are Dua Flipa, Toogie, Beau, Dragon, Ray and Robin. "We feel a bit like a teacher doing the morning register when we reel off all their names," Fryer added.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
