A city zoo is celebrating the arrival of nine gentoo penguin chicks.

Staff at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Edinburgh Zoo will keep a close eye on the new arrivals as the first month is critical for them.

The first two eggs hatched on May 1 to parents Muffin and Mittens and it is hoped more chicks will emerge in the coming weeks.

Gentoo penguins
The chicks can be seen on the zoo’s penguin cam (RZSS/PA)

Gentoo chicks weigh around 98g when they hatch, which is equivalent to half an avocado.

Edinburgh Zoo is home to more than 100 penguins from three species – king, northern rockhopper and gentoo.

The zoo’s penguin cam has a view over the gentoo nesting rings and can be watched 24 hours a day on edinburghzoo.org.uk/webcams/penguin-cam