Eggscellent day for baby penguins Scottish beer showcased at famous bar for MPs
THE first penguin chicks of the current breeding season have hatched at Edinburgh Zoo. Five endangered northern rockhopper chicks and 10 gentoo chicks have hatched so far and it is hoped more will be born in due course. It is the most northern rockhoppers to ever be born at the zoo, which is run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.
Northern rockhopper pair Wesley and Penny have contributed to conservation efforts led by the charity by becoming parents, as the species has faced widespread decline in the wild due to climate change and overfishing. Gentoo pair Muffin and Mittens also welcomed twins.
The zoo looks after three species of the seabirds, including king penguins, which have not yet hatched. More than 100 penguins live at the zoo.
The first 30 days of a chick’s life are critical and keepers will keep a close eye on them to ensure they are gaining weight and developing healthily.
Visitors will be able to watch the chicks being cared for by their parents at the zoo’s Penguins Rock, the largest outdoor penguin pool in Europe. Michael Livingstone,
ASCOTTISH beer is making a guest appearance at a famous bar in the Houses of Parliament which shares its name with the brewer. Lone Goose, made by Linlithgowbased Strangers Brewing Co, is currently on tap in the Strangers’ Bar after local MP Martyn Day recommended it as a guest ale.
The beer, a 4.0% easy-drinking golden ale, is being enjoyed by MPs and other parliamentarians for whom the bar is effectively their “local”.
Brett Welch, director and head brewer at Strangers Brewing Co, made the journey to London to share a pint with the Linlithgow and East Falkirk MP.
Welch said: “The beer is named after the lone white goose that lives on Linlithgow loch. He’s a bit of a local celebrity and – just like this beer – he has plenty of personality!
“We were delighted that Lone Goose was selected for the Strangers’ Bar and grateful to Martyn and the senior animal keeper at Edinburgh Zoo, said: “It is always a really fun time of year when the penguin chicks start to hatch.
“This year we are particularly excited because we have welcomed five northern rockhopper chicks, which is the most we’ve ever had. team at the bar for making it happen. We’re very proud of our beers and this was a great opportunity to showcase our local beer outside of Scotland.”
Welch joked: “We’d love to think a pint of Lone Goose may have inspired some of our politicians to dream up ground-breaking new policies!”
Day said “It has been a pleasure to introduce my colleagues in Westminster to this great beer and give them
“The species is endangered in the wild due to climate change, changes in marine ecosystems and overfishing, so being able to contribute to the breeding programme, which ensures a healthy population in zoos is wonderful.” a taste of Linlithgow. It is brilliant to see a local business thriving, and I’m sure Strangers Brewing Co will continue to go from strength to strength in the future.”
Lone Goose was made available in the Strangers’ Bar as part of a scheme run by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group and the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), to which Strangers Brewing Co belongs.