Edinburgh Zoo’s famous Wee Waddle is returning this October break, giving visitors the chance to get up close to its penguin colony.
The experience returns on Friday, October 9, with gentoo, rockhopper and king penguins taking a stroll along the walkway outside their habitat.
The penguins will leave Penguins Rock to take part in feeds before waddling around part of the zoo’s perimeter.
Visitors will also be able to hear from discovery rangers, who will give talks about the zoo’s three penguin species during the experience.
Among those expected to take part are Sir Nils Olav, known as the world’s highest-ranking animal, and Kevin, a penguin who was previously banned from the experience after nipping at visitors’ shoelaces.
The Wee Waddle will take place at 2.15pm from Friday to Sunday, giving families visiting during the school holiday a chance to see the birds outside their usual habitat.
The activity is entirely voluntary, with the zoo confirming the penguins are not forced to leave their enclosure.
Edinburgh Zoo’s first Penguin Parade is thought to have taken place in 1949, after a keeper accidentally left the habitat gate open. A few curious penguins reportedly marched towards the front gate and back, with the keeper following behind.
The unexpected walk became a daily ritual and has since grown into one of the zoo’s best-known experiences.
The Wee Waddle is organised by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the wildlife conservation charity that operates Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park.