11 July 2025
18 Humboldt penguin chicks have hatched at London Zoo with seven taking their first swim during this week's heatwave.
London Heatwave
As temperatures soar this week, London Zoo’s 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.
London’s lido pool… for penguins
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.
Section manager for Penguins and Flying birds, Jessica Fryer 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.”
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 chicks swimming in the big pool at London Zoo
What do you call a baby penguin?
Jess 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!”
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.
A great family day out at London Zoo
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 ZSL to protect species and restore habitats around the world.