Penguins at Edinburgh Zoo

But perhaps the best thing about Edinburgh Zoo is that we can watch them live from anywhere in the world via their live "penguin cam"! Check it out, and you'll be fascinated (just remember to watch during daylight hours in Edinburgh, they don't have lights at night).

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland was founded in 1909, and Edinburgh Zoo actually opened in 1913, on 82 acres of parkland on Corstorphine Hill. When I was young I didn't always like zoos so much because the animals were stuck in cages and looked miserable. When I visited Edinburgh Zoo, however, I got excited. There were several large, open enclosures for the different species, with ditches and moats to separate the animals from the visitors. They didn't seem miserable! And I loved the penguins, especially when they came out and walked around doing their Penguin Parade!

Here are the Edinburgh Zoo penguins on a walk outside their enclosure!

One thing that I really like about the penguin parade, apart from seeing the penguins right up close, is that the penguins choose whether to participate or not. So if they don't want to walk, they don't have to. But, as you can see, some of the little Gentoo Penguins get quite excited about it! The King Penguins are, well, more majestic.

The webcam is set to show the Penguin Pool. There's also a Penguin Cam that gives an underwater view.

There are no lights at night, so make sure you're watching during daylight hours if you want to see anything! Oh, and they're really fascinating, so be warned you may find you're spending more time than you expected just watching these penguins.

Penguin Cam at Edinburgh Zoo

If you've enjoyed the penguins walking on their daily parade, and seen what they're up to live on the webcam, now it's time to see them fly. Haven't we always wondered how penguins can be classified as birds? They seem more like weird animals, walking around awkwardly in their "tuxedos" with their "arms" stuck out to the side! But watch them here and you'll see that really those "arms" are wings, and they have such grace when they use them to fly. Just like birds!

At Edinburgh Zoo you can go underneath the penguin enclosure and look at the pool through windows. OK, yes, they're underwater not in the sky, but forget that for a minute and just watch. I call that flying!

Penguins can fly and here is the proof. Well, I didn't personally see them fly. However, it was on BBC, so we know it has to be real. Take a look at the video and you have to admit, penguins can fly.

Initially Nils Olav was given the rank of lance corporal; in 1982 he was made corporal; and in 1987 he was promoted to sergeant. The original Nils Olav died shortly after his promotion to sergeant, and his place was taken by Nils Olav II, a two-year-old penguin. (Yes, King Penguins do live a long time but not forever!) Nils Olav II was promoted to the rank of regimental sergeant major in 1993; and Honourable Regimental Sergeant Major in 2001.

In 2005 Edinburgh Zoo was presented with a four-foot tall bronze statue of Nils Olav.

In 2008 the penguin was actually knighted, becoming Sir Nils Olav! This great honor had to be approved by the King of Norway himself, King Harald V. They had a big ceremony of course!

Edinburgh Zoo
The Edinburgh Zoo official website.