Flipping adorable! Northern rockhopper penguin born at Edinburgh Zoo

Flipping adorable! Rare northern rockhopper penguin is born at Edinburgh Zoo – giving fresh hope for the endangered species

The northern rockhopper penguin is currently listed as endangered
A tiny chick was born at Edinburgh Zoo on April 26 but is yet to be named

With just 480,600 thought to remain in the wild, the northern rockhopper penguin is one of the world’s most endangered penguin subspecies.

But fresh hopes have been raised, following the birth of a penguin chick at Edinburgh Zoo.

The tiny bird was the first of the breeding season and arrived on April 26 to proud parents Pinny and Bruce.

There is no name yet for the youngster as these are generally decided when keepers get to know an animal, the zoo said.

Keepers at the zoo, run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), said they were delighted about the arrival.

With just 480,600 thought to remain in the wild, the northern rockhopper penguin is one of the world’s most endangered penguin subspecies. But fresh hopes have been raised for the species, following the birth of a penguin chick at Edinburgh Zoo

Northern Rockhopper Penguin

Scientific Name: Eudyptes moseleyi

Population: 480,600

IUCN Status: Endangered

Trend: Decreasing

Habitat: Breeds on islands in the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; spends rest of time at sea

Michael Livingstone, senior keeper at Edinburgh Zoo, said: ‘Northern rockhopper penguins are endangered due to climate change, changes in marine ecosystems and overfishing, so it is really exciting to welcome a new chick.

‘The first 30 days are critical for their development, so we will be keeping a close eye on the youngster at this sensitive time.’

Two northern rockhopper chicks were born at the zoo last year, Sandy and Frankie, and both have settled into the colony well.

Mr Livingstone said: ‘Every visit to Edinburgh Zoo helps care for all our amazing animals, like our penguins, and helps protect threatened species at home in Scotland and around the world.’

Northern rockhoppers are classified as ‘Endangered’ owing to very rapid population decreases over the last 30 years, combined with a limited distributional range and increasing land and sea-based threats, according to BirdLife International.

‘Precise reasons for the declines are poorly understood, but changes in the marine environment, including increasing sea temperatures and reduction or displacement of prey, diseases, and oil pollution are among the suspected causes,’ it explained.

Edinburgh Zoo is home to three species of penguin: king, gentoo and northern rockhopper.

The RZSS has worked to safeguard the northern rockhopper for many years.

The news comes shortly after the birth of not just one, but two critically endangered Sumatran tiger cubs at Chester Zoo.

The adorable cubs were born on January 7, and have been bonding with their parents, Kasarna and Dash, ever since.

‘The birth of two more healthy Sumatran tiger cubs is a vital step in the long-term efforts to protect these incredible animals,’ said Dave Hall, Carnivore Team Manager at Chester Zoo.

‘One day, the pair will hopefully go on to make a vital contribution to the endangered species breeding programme, which is now playing a critical role in preventing these majestic animals from becoming extinct.’

THE IUCN RED LIST

Species on the endangered red list are animals of the highest conservation priority that need ‘urgent action’ to save.

An Amber list is reserved for the next most critical group, followed by a green list.

Red list criteria:

Globally threatened
Historical population decline in UK during 1800–1995
Severe (at least 50 per cent) decline in UK breeding population over last 25 years
Severe (at least 50 per cent) contraction of UK breeding range over last 25 years

In recent years, in the UK, several more species have been added to the list.

These included:

Atlantic puffin
Nightingale
Long-tailed duck
Turtle dove

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