Penguin chicks took to the water at London Zoo for their first swimming lesson in the nursery pool.

A total of 11 Humboldt chicks hatched at the Zoo's Penguin Beach in April and May.

Kermit, Ron Burgundy, Stella, Piggy, Ernest, Cricket, Tiki, Ping, Pong, Sean and Karen spent their first weeks tucked away in their nest boxes before zookeepers stepped in to help them dip their flippers in the training pool.

Ham & High: Eleven Humboldt penguin chicks hatched at the Regent's Park Zoo in April and May.Eleven Humboldt penguin chicks hatched at the Regent's Park Zoo in April and May. (Image: London Zoo)

Penguin keeper Jessica Rae explained: "Covered in soft, downy feathers, newly hatched chicks aren’t able to swim straight away, but at around six to 12 weeks old these fuzzy feathers are replaced by two layers of stiff, overlapping waterproof, black and white feathers – perfect for swimming.

"After tentatively inspecting the training pool, the chicks have started to test out the water this week; some were splashing around in no time, while others took a little longer to take the plunge."

Jessica added: “Each of the chicks will approach swimming at their own pace, just like humans who learn to crawl and walk at slightly different times."

Ham & High: Once strong enough the chicks will join the rest of the Humboldt penguins at the Zoo's main Penguin Beach poolOnce strong enough the chicks will join the rest of the Humboldt penguins at the Zoo's main Penguin Beach pool (Image: ZSL London)

Once strong enough, the chicks will move to the Regent's Park attraction's main penguin pool, where they’ll join the colony of 76 Humboldts, who are native to coastal Peru and Chile and use their paddle-like wings as flippers to propel them through the water.  

Jessica said "Adult Humboldt penguins can reach up to 30 miles per hour in the water. These youngsters have some way to go, but we’re really pleased with the progress they’re making so far. It’s been great to see the chicks grow in confidence as their swimming ability improves."

Humboldt penguins are sadly classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, with their numbers in the wild falling due to the harvesting of their droppings - which makes an effective fertiliser - as well as pollution caused by oil spills, and overfishing.

Visitors to London Zoo can visit Penguin Beach and take part in the BIG Summer of Fun which runs from July 22 to September 3.