WATCH: Adorable baby penguins swim for the first time

LONDON, United Kingdom (KMID/KPEJ)- Eleven adorable Humboldt penguin chicks at London Zoo took to the water for their first swim, as seen in footage released on June 28.

The penguin chicks, named McVitie, Swiftie, Gonzo, Pepe, Beaker, Coco, Bob, Therese, Randall, Hanbury, and Medici, hatched at the zoo`s Penguin Beach in April.

Penguin chicks are unable to swim right away, according to London Zoo penguin keeper Jessica Rae, who explained that at six to 12 weeks old, fuzzy feathers are replaced by stiff, waterproof feathers “perfect for swimming.”

Footage shows one chick eying the water, before wading in beak first, after a few encouraging splashes from a keeper. “Some are very fast learners; some just like to splash around in the water; some need a bit more time before they learn to swim,” said Rae, adding “It’s just like human toddlers learning to crawl. Each chick`s development is different.”

Once the penguins get comfortable in the water, they can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, the zoo said in a press statement. Rae said that while the chicks are a long way off from this point, the zoo staff are pleased with their progress so far.

Humboldt penguins are classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Credit: Zoological Society of London via Storyful

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