11/07/2025
Say hello to our 18 Humboldt penguin chicks - seven are taking their first swim during the heatwave 🌞
As temperatures soar this week, our coolest residents are heading to the beach – Penguin Beach, to be precise.
18 fluffy Humboldt penguin chicks have hatched in a penguin baby boom our Penguin Beach habitat this summer, and seven of the youngsters are preparing to take their first dip in the big pool this week.
Having earned their stripes in our custom-built nursery pool, seven of the chicks are graduating into Penguin Beach’s 450,000 litre pool to join the rest of the 63-strong colony, while our 11 youngest chicks are still practising their penguin-paddle.
The chicks are part of an internationally coordinated conservation breeding programme, where we’re helping to preserve a healthy and genetically diverse insurance population of Humboldt penguins, boosting their chance for long term survival by acting as a safeguard for the vulnerable wild population.
Humboldt penguins are monomorphic, meaning there are no external differences between our male and female penguins. Each chick will eventually be sexed via DNA testing, and then they’re given their own wing band – made up of a unique pattern of beads.
Penguin Beach features England’s largest penguin pool and our expansive habitat also provides underwater viewing areas, where you can observe the penguins' graceful and impressive swimming skills.
If you’re looking for a great family day out in London this summer holidays, then look no further than London Zoo. Unforgettable family adventures make real-world conservation impact here - every time you visit and enjoy a great day out here, you’re supporting our work through to protect species and restore habitats around the world.
