Colchester Zoo announces birth of Humboldt penguins

Humboldt penguins Pepper and Chile hatched their first chick on Easter Monday and their second soon followed on April 13.

The Maldon Road zoo’s Animal Care Team has been monitoring the chicks’ weight every morning over the past month, with both said to be “growing fast”.

So cute - one of the hatchlings (Image: Colchester Zoo)

Newborn - the baby Humboldt penguins born at Colchester Zoo (Image: Colchester Zoo)

A zoo statement reads: “Pepper and Chile are doing a fantastic job at rearing and caring for them both.

“At the moment our two youngsters are not on show to the public, however once they have their adult feathers they will gradually be introduced to the others within the huddle.

“The Animal Care Team are currently deciding upon names, when they have chosen we will be sure to announce them to you.”

Youngster - one of the new hatchlings at Colchester Zoo (Image: Colchester Zoo)

Pepper hatched at Colchester in April 2016 and Chile arrived from Zlin-Lesna Zoo in Czech Republic in May 2014.

The newborns represent the pair’s first successful hatchlings.