EDINBURGH Zoo is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the arrival of its first penguins, which were also the first in Europe.

The birds have since become a popular feature of the zoo, with a king penguin chick being the first to hatch in the northern Hemisphere, and the species has been incorporated into the zoo's logo.

In 1914, six months after its grand opening, Edinburgh Zoo accepted a donation of six penguins from Salvesen Co. The four king penguins, one gentoo and one macaroni had sailed from South Georgia to Leith Docks aboard the Salvesen ship 'Coronda'.

Colin Oulton, team leader for birds at the zoo, said: "To celebrate 100 years of caring for this inquisitive and curious species is a very special occasion."