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Edinburgh Reporter
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Oldest rockhopper in town
Keepers at Edinburgh Zoo recently celebrated their oldest penguin when Northern rockhopper Nestor turned 32 years old. The 20 inch tall penguin has been dubbed 'oldest rocker in town' — and he even has a mate exactly half his age. The oldest penguin of any kind at Edinburgh Zoo, he is also believed to be currently the third longest-lived rockhopper penguin in the world. Nestor celebrated his birthday chilling out in the shade in the attraction's Penguins Rock, with his long term mate, 16 year old Issy. Edinburgh Zoo animal keeper Katherine Burnet, said: 'Nestor is a really nice boy and our oldest penguin. 'At the ripe old age of 32 now, he can be a little slower than some of the other penguins in the colony, but he's lovely to work with. 'It's amazing to think he's the third oldest rockhopper in the world. He's already lived over twice the lifespan of a rockhopper in the wild.' Rockhoppers are among the smallest penguins, easily recognised by their bright yellow head plumage and red eyes. The species has declined by 90 per cent in the wild since the 1950s and is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. Nestor hatched in France in 1993 and also spent time in Belgium before coming to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) attraction in 2006. He can be identified among the other rockhoppers in his colony by the unique blue and pink coloured band on his right wing. Nestor can be found spending most of his time around the pool with long term partner Issy. They can be seen waddling around their enclosure or preening one another on their nesting ring in a shaded area to the rear of the colony. Katherine said: 'Nestor and Issy have been pair bonded for a few years now and he takes really good care of her. There may be a 16 year age gap but they make a really sweet couple. 'They tend to go around the enclosure together and wherever you see one you often find the other. They have certain spots they frequent. 'Nestor is quite a chilled out boy. He tends to avoid any drama going on in the colony, although he can be quite protective of Issy and he will tell the youngsters off if they come too close to his nest. 'He's also pretty smart so when it's sunny or hot you'll find him in the shade keeping cool.' Edinburgh Zoo is home to over 100 Gentoo, Northern rockhopper and King penguins. The attraction is famed for its Penguin Parade, which first took place in 1951 when a keeper accidentally left the gate open and a few curious penguins left the enclosure. The parade became a much-loved daily ritual until March 2020, when it was stopped to avoid people gathering in large crowds during Covid. The Zoo now hosts the 'Wee Waddle', a reimagined version, which is completely voluntary. Penguins are not coerced into taking part or leaving their enclosure. There is also a small, 'penguin-sized' fence separating the birds from visitors along the short route. Edinburgh was previously home to the world's oldest rockhopper penguin. Mrs Wolowitz was killed by a fox that broke into the enclosure in 2022, just months after she celebrated her 35th birthday. The world's oldest rockhopper is now thought to be 34-year-old JT in Moody Gardens, Texas, a year older than 33-year-old female Janet who lives at Montreal Biodome in Canada, and two years older than Edinburgh's Nestor. Edinburgh Zoo has the oldest Rockhopper 32 (Back and Right) and his partner Issy 16 Picture Alan Simpson Edinburgh Zoo has the oldest Rockhopper 32 (Back and Right) and his partner Issy 16 Picture Alan Simpson Edinburgh Zoo has the oldest Rockhopper 32 (Back and Right) and his partner Issy 16 Picture Alan Simpson Keeper Katherine Burnet PHOTO Alan Simpson The penguin enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo Picture Alan Simpson Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Edinburgh Zoo welcomes first penguin chicks of the year in new photos
The adorable animals hatched last week. Edinburgh Zoo has welcomed the first penguin chicks of the year. The zoo shared adorable photos of the youngsters. On Thursday, May 1, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland revealed that the first penguin chicks of this year's breeding season have hatched. The chicks were born to Gentoo penguin couple Muffin and Mittens. One of the chicks pictured was born at Edinburgh Zoo on April 24, following an incubation period of between 34 and 37 days. During this time, Muffin and Mittens took turns to look after the egg. Gentoo penguins typically mate with the same partner each year. When hatched, their chicks weigh approximately 98 grams—around the same as half of an avocado. Visitors to Edinburgh Zoo can now spot the chicks and their parents. They will be lounging around Penguins Rock, which is the biggest outdoor penguin pool in Europe. The chicks can also be spotted on the zoo's Penguin Cam. This is a live webcam that was created for animal lovers to keep an eye on the penguins as their eggs begin to hatch. The Edinburgh Zoo website states: "This year, we're going behind-the-scenes of our penguin breeding season to bring you all the latest gossip from Penguins Rock! "With pebble pinching, beaks being turned and love triangles, it's the most exciting time to be a penguin at Edinburgh Zoo. "Make sure you're keeping up-to-date by following along on our social media channels." Edinburgh Zoo is home to a sizeable population of gentoo penguins. There are approximately 100 of the species living at Penguins Rock. Gentoo penguins are the third-biggest species of penguin in the world. They have the most prominent tail of all penguins, and are among the fastest underwater birds. The species can dive to depths of up to 665 feet, and can remain underwater for around seven minutes. While swimming, they can reach speeds of up to 22 miles per hour. According to Edinburgh Zoo, while gentoo penguins all look similar, each one "has distinct personality and they are well known by our keepers". Staff at the zoo use different coloured flipper bands to help tell them apart, with males having bands on their right flipper and females on their left. As previously reported by the Daily Record, Edinburgh Zoo recently welcomed a "famous" TikTok capybara. Rodney arrived at the zoo in early April, joining fellow capybaras Luna and Cali. Rodney rose to fame on TikTok in 2024, when he was born at Dartmoor Zoo in England. He became the only pup, also affectionately known as a babybara, born to mum Hoodoo. We also reported that Edinburgh Zoo is to welcome sloth bears for first time ever with an "amazing" habitat. The zoo is working to build a habitat for the vulnerable species, after which they will be able to call the Scottish capital home. More information can be found on the Edinburgh Zoo website. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
NDTV
25-04-2025
- NDTV
8 Incredible Places To See Penguins In The Wild
Let's be honest — penguins are the real rockstars of the animal kingdom. They've got the looks, the personality, and that wobbly walk we just can't get enough of. And while it's easy to admire them from behind glass at an aquarium, the real thrill lies in seeing them out in the wild, doing their thing — whether that's nesting, swimming or squabbling with their neighbours. From the ice fields of Antarctica to the beaches of Australia, here are eight brilliant places where you can watch penguins in their natural habitat, plus when to go for peak penguin action. Here Are 8 Best Spots To See Penguins: 1. Boulders Beach, Simon's Town - South Africa This is hands down one of the most accessible and Instagram-friendly penguin spots on the planet. Just a 45-minute drive from Cape Town, Boulders Beach is home to a colony of endangered African penguins that live among giant granite boulders — and yes, they hang out on the actual beach. Don't miss the wooden boardwalk through the penguin nesting area at Foxy Beach for up-close views. Best time to visit: March to May or September to November for pleasant weather and fewer crowds. Breeding starts in February. Top species: African penguin 2. Aitcho Islands, Antarctic Peninsula - Antarctica This small island group is one of the most popular stops on Antarctic cruises. During the summer months, the beaches are packed with Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins. It's raw, remote and wildly photogenic. Wondering how to go? Expedition cruises from Ushuaia usually include Aitcho on their itinerary. Best time to visit: December to January for chicks and longer daylight hours. Top species: Gentoo, Chinstrap 3. St Andrews Bay, South Georgia Island - South Atlantic Ocean St Andrews Bay looks like a scene straight out of a BBC nature doc. This remote, windswept bay hosts one of the largest King penguin colonies in the world — with upwards of 150,000 breeding pairs. The noise of this colony can be heard long before you arrive. Best time to visit: December to February for peak numbers and fluffy chicks. Top species: King penguin 4. Punta Tombo, Chubut Province - Argentina This is the largest Magellanic penguin colony in South America. Located along the Patagonian coast, Punta Tombo is home to over a million penguins during the breeding season — and they are everywhere. The 2.5-hour drive from Puerto Madryn is quite scenic. Best time to visit: September to March, with November being peak nesting time. Top species: Magellanic penguin New Zealand. Photo: iStock 5. Otago Peninsula, Dunedin - New Zealand For a more intimate penguin encounter, head to the Otago Peninsula. It's one of the best spots to see the rare Yellow-eyed penguin, which is super shy and seriously endangered. Take a guided tour from the Royal Albatross Centre for the best chance of sightings. Best time to visit: October to February for breeding season. Top species: Yellow-eyed penguin, Little Blue penguin 6. Phillip Island, Victoria - Australia Every night at sunset, hundreds of Little Blue penguins come ashore in what's known as the "Penguin Parade." It's a surprisingly moving sight — and Phillip Island is just two hours from Melbourne. Pro tip: Book a ranger-guided tour for front-row seats. Best time to visit: Year-round, but summer (December to February) sees the biggest parades. Top species: Little Blue penguin 7. Isabela Island, Galapagos - Ecuador The Galapagos penguin is the only one that lives north of the equator, and the western coast of Isabela Island is your best bet for spotting them. They often hang out on lava rocks or swim right past snorkellers. You might also spot sea lions, marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies. Best time to visit: July to November, when the Humboldt Current brings cooler waters. Top species: Galapagos penguin 8. Volunteer Point, East Falkland - Falkland Islands If you're after King penguins without heading all the way to Antarctica, Volunteer Point is a must. Located on East Falkland, it's home to around 1,500 breeding pairs, and the beachside backdrop makes it feel surreal. It's a 2.5-hour off-road drive from Stanley, but worth every bump. Best time to visit: Late November to early February for chicks and warmer weather. Top species: King, Gentoo, Magellanic
Los Angeles Times
22-04-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Apodaca: We can't agree on everything, but we can all agree on penguins
I have written about some deadly serious topics, including disease outbreaks in undervaccinated communities, wildfire risks, and funding cuts for education and scientific research, all of which could lead to dire consequences. I'm also alarmed watching the same developments so many of us worry about — the deteriorating rule of law, the trade war and the hits to retirement accounts. I now know the meaning of a 'dead cat bounce,' a morbidly specific phrase for a temporary pause in an otherwise collapsing stock market. We're told we should learn something new every day, but I would have preferred to live without this particular piece of knowledge. I don't know about everyone else, but I could use a break. Not one of the dead-cat variety, but a meaningful interlude that could bring some cheer to our battered psyches. After consideration, I think I've found a way to feel better about our circumstances, one that all of us, no matter our wildly divergent views on any other topic, can finally agree on: Penguins are awesome. On this point, we can be united. Of course, the animal kingdom in general is amazing, but other animals that we regard as charming have their detractors. Otters, for example, might appear cute and playful, but some people consider them murderous psychopaths that are known to kill for sport. Those pandas that we fawn over? There are more than a few among us who think they are lazy, arrogant jerks. And don't get me started on dolphins, which I used to believe were deserving of the greatest admiration. They're so smart! Flipper, right? But then I heard that the image of friendly dolphins is more fairy tale than reality, and that some of them murder baby dolphins and commit unspeakable atrocities on the females of their species. Even sea lions, those endlessly entertaining blubber blobs, are not above some questionable behavior. Surfers in Newport Beach were chased out of the water by one sea lion recently, although I suppose we can't fault the poor animal, which a veterinarian said was probably brain-damaged from a toxic algae bloom. I get that we shouldn't judge animals by human ethical standards. No matter how we tend to anthropomorphize them, they all engage in instinctual, survival-of-the-fittest, circle-of-life behavior. But surely one animal can rightly be held up as a paragon of excellence and virtue. That animal is the penguin. There are 18 species that hail primarily from the Southern Hemisphere, from the frigid Antarctic to the equatorial Galápagos Islands, ranging in size from 1 to 4 feet tall. All of them ooze charisma. They are birds that don't fly, but their incredible swimming abilities have been described as 'flying through water.' In fact, they swim so fast and gracefully, often through some of the chilliest waters on Earth, that one variety in particular, the Gentoo, can reach speeds more than three times that of the fastest human. And they do it in formal wear. Try doing that, Michael Phelps. They're superb walkers too, often covering long distances on land to reach their nests and breeding grounds. Many penguins live in super-cold regions, so they have tons of feathers and fat to keep them warm. The hardy emperor penguins even have two layers of feathers and special fats in their feet to keep them from freezing. Their chicks have been sighted diving off a 50-foot cliff on the Antarctic Peninsula, plunging into icy waters, and swimming off in search of food — an astonishingly spunky way for young ones to leave the nest. And get this — a group on land is referred to as a 'waddle,' but in the water they are called a 'raft.' It doesn't get more adorable than that. Do they complain, or engage in murderous rampages? No, they do not. Indeed, penguins' most endearing quality is that they are lovers, not fighters. They look out for each other, huddling together to stay warm and working in communal fashion to enhance their chances of survival. They stay true to their mates, and they are great parents. Mom and Dad penguins are models for modern co-parenting, as they take turns nurturing and feeding their kids. Emperor males even keep the eggs warm while females go on long fishing trips. My only negative observation is that many penguin species are endangered. Of course, they are in no way to blame for this. We are. The peril these remarkable animals face is a result of human-caused climate change, habitat loss, pollution and over-fishing. I don't want to contemplate a world without penguins. If for no other reason, we should treat our planet better so we can save these treasures of the animal world. By now, I'm imagining some readers might be thinking that I'm setting myself up for bitter disappointment. So I'm putting everyone on notice. If anyone knows anything that could burst my bubble by suggesting that penguins aren't the magical creatures I consider them to be, then please don't tell me. In our current state of upheaval, disillusionment, and strained relations with our fellow humans, I really need to cling to the picture of penguin perfection. Come on, admit it. Tuxedo-clad swimming champions who love their families are just the antidote we all need right now.
BBC News
30-01-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Polar bears: How a greasy coat makes sure ice doesn't stick to them
Polar bears are able to survive in some of the world's harshest scientists think they know how they move around the ice without it getting stuck to them all the time. The secret? Well, it's the grease on their just the tip of the iceberg, as the discovery, which is published in the Science Advances journal, could be used to create more anti-icing products and to help make better skiing and snowboarding equipment. How did scientists discover the greasy polar bear fur? It all came down to some detective work, which involved collecting hair from six polar bears in the wild. The researchers found the sebum, or grease, on the hair was the important thing protecting it. The grease is made up of cholesterol and fatty acids, which makes it very hard for ice to attach to their measured things like how well the ice sticks to fur, whether water can be shed before it freezes, and how long it took for a drop of water to freeze at certain temperatures on a surface. They then compared the polar bear hair with human hair and two types of specialist 'ski skins' - strips that attach to skis and snowboards so they don't slip backwards. Julian Carolan, from Trinity College Dublin's School of Chemistry and the AMBER Research Ireland Centre, co-wrote the journal article. He said: "Unwashed, greasy hair made it much harder for ice to stick. In contrast when the polar bear hair was washed and the grease largely removed, it performed similarly to human hair, to which ice sticks easily whether it is washed or greasy."So the greasier the hair the better!This isn't the first time animals living in polar habitats have inspired humans to get de-icing. Scientists also discovered the feather structure of Gentoo penguins have anti-icing properties.
