Baby penguins hatch at Belfast Zoo

Belfast Zoo is celebrating another cracking success with the hatching of eight gentoo penguin chicks.

Breeding season started back in February and the Zoo is sure the new little arrivals will prove popular with visitors.

“We have no doubt that our latest arrivals will be a firm favourite with zoo visitors,” senior zoo keeper Raymond Robinson said.

Back in February, the zoo started to prepare by installing nest rings for the gentoo penguins.

“The male gentoo penguins then set to work to fill the nests with pebbles and stones,” Raymond explained.

“The nests are so prized by females that often male penguins can obtain a mate by offering the female a nice pebble.”

Raymond continued: “The female can lay up to two eggs which are then incubated by the male and female birds for approximately 30 to 40 days.

“In recent weeks, with the warm weather, keepers have also had to install umbrellas and sprinklers into the enclosure to protect the parents and the eggs from the heat and we are delighted to welcome the first chicks of the year.”

There are 17 species of penguins in the world and Belfast Zoo is home to both the gentoo and rockhopper varieties.

Visitors can usually call by the penguin enclosure at 2.30pm to see them enjoying their ‘fish suppers’ and to see the little chicks.