Penguins pick up some life lessons

Edinburgh Zoo's penguin class of 2011 have been moved into the penguin crèche.

The 57 Gentoo penguins born in spring this year have moved into a smaller outdoor enclosure to learn how to swim and how to feed.

Colin Oulton, bird team leader at Edinburgh Zoo, said: "The crche phase is something that occurs naturally in the wild, with chicks no longer remaining at the nest, but staying in the vicinity.

"We try to recreate this situation, which also allows the parents time to rest and rebuild their strength during their annual moult, which can be stressful for penguins.

"The small shallow pool in the crche is perfect place for the chicks to take their first swim.

"They figure out pretty quickly how to take fish from the keepers and are now no longer relying on regurgitated food from mum and dad."