Study

The breeding of Gentoo penguins in Edinburgh Zoo

Summary

Use captive breeding to increase or maintain populations of seabirds

A study in 1963–1974 at Edinburgh Zoo, Scotland, UK (Wheater 1976) reported that gentoo penguins Pygoscelis papua bred in captivity. The captive population of 47–118 gentoo penguins laid 22–81 eggs/year. Between 11 and 26 eggs hatched/year: a hatching rate of 32–68%. The gentoo penguins shared an outdoor enclosure (556 m2, with a 61-cm-deep pool) with king penguins Aptenodytes patagonica. The enclosure was surrounded by a chain-link fence and had a security alarm system. The birds were hand-fed whole, defrosted whiting Merlangius merlangus daily. Rocks (2.5–5.0 cm diameter) were provided, along with concrete, well-drained nesting rings. Chicks were taken from their parents and raised in a crêche when they were six weeks old.

Output references
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