Penguin chicks at London Zoo have cooled off in the heatwave with their first dip in the main pool.
Temperatures reached 31C at the zoo in Regent’s Park on Friday, according to the Met Office, and seven of the 18 Humboldt penguin chicks which hatched this summer took their first dip in the big pool.
The chicks spent the first few weeks of their life at the zoo’s nursery pool and have now joined the main penguin enclosure, called Penguin Beach, to have a dip in the 450,000 litre pool and join the 63-strong colony.
The 11 youngest chicks are still practising their dive and penguin paddle before they can “graduate” to the bigger pool, London Zoo said.
Jess Fryer, section manager for penguins and flying birds at London Zoo, said: “The 18 new Humboldt penguins here at London Zoo mark a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to protect these charismatic coastal birds, whose wild populations have been shrinking due to habitat loss, overfishing, and climate change.
“Having 18 new arrivals on Penguin Beach is so much fun, and has certainly kept us busy.
“Our special nursery pool is the perfect place for the chicks to get used to the water and learn to swim, before they head out into the main pool with the colony.”
She added: “We couldn’t wait to name the new chicks, and among those 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.”
