Easter arrives early at Edinburgh Zoo thanks to penguin eggs
Posted 19 Mar 2026
Easter has arrived early at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo with the first penguin eggs of the year appearing in nests. Several of the wildlife conservation charity’s much-loved gentoo and Northern rockhopper penguins have begun laying eggs, with Muffin and Mittens being the first couple to lay an egg for the second year running.
The eggs, carefully tended by attentive parents, will begin to hatch in late spring. Each chick born at the zoo contributes to international breeding programmes that help protect these remarkable species.
Visitors to the zoo may be lucky enough to witness the nesting rituals, from bowing to sharing incubation duties. The zoo’s expert keeper and veterinary teams will be providing round-the-clock care, ensuring the best possible conditions for both parents and their eggs.
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Notes to editors
Edinburgh Zoo has partnered with the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity to provide painted pebbles for the zoo’s penguin colony
Northern rockhoppers have seen an almost 60% decline in population numbers over the past 30 years, making every chick born at the zoo a vital addition to the species
Edinburgh Zoo is home to over 150 penguins in Europe’s largest outdoor penguin pool
Gentoo courtship involves locating a nesting site, males presenting pebbles as gifts to their partner for the season while bowing and braying. Females lay their eggs in March, with the first chicks hatching in April and May
Edinburgh Zoo is also home to Northern rockhopper and king penguins, with keepers providing for the specific breeding requirements of each
About the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (rzss.org.uk)
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is a wildlife conservation charity with a bold vision: a world which protects, values and loves nature
Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park are gateways to the natural world through which people can experience nature, learn about the challenges facing wildlife and discover how we harness our expertise in conservation science and animal care alongside the unique power of the RZSS family – our teams, supporters and partners – to save animals from extinction
