Oldest rockhopper in town

Edinburgh Reporter

31-05-2025

Keepers at Edinburgh Zoo recently celebrated their oldest penguin when Northern rockhopper Nestor turned 32 years old.
The 20 inch tall penguin has been dubbed 'oldest rocker in town' — and he even has a mate exactly half his age.
The oldest penguin of any kind at Edinburgh Zoo, he is also believed to be currently the third longest-lived rockhopper penguin in the world.
Nestor celebrated his birthday chilling out in the shade in the attraction's Penguins Rock, with his long term mate, 16 year old Issy.
Edinburgh Zoo animal keeper Katherine Burnet, said: 'Nestor is a really nice boy and our oldest penguin.
'At the ripe old age of 32 now, he can be a little slower than some of the other penguins in the colony, but he's lovely to work with.
'It's amazing to think he's the third oldest rockhopper in the world. He's already lived over twice the lifespan of a rockhopper in the wild.'
Rockhoppers are among the smallest penguins, easily recognised by their bright yellow head plumage and red eyes.
The species has declined by 90 per cent in the wild since the 1950s and is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Nestor hatched in France in 1993 and also spent time in Belgium before coming to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) attraction in 2006.
He can be identified among the other rockhoppers in his colony by the unique blue and pink coloured band on his right wing.
Nestor can be found spending most of his time around the pool with long term partner Issy.
They can be seen waddling around their enclosure or preening one another on their nesting ring in a shaded area to the rear of the colony.
Katherine said: 'Nestor and Issy have been pair bonded for a few years now and he takes really good care of her. There may be a 16 year age gap but they make a really sweet couple.
'They tend to go around the enclosure together and wherever you see one you often find the other. They have certain spots they frequent.
'Nestor is quite a chilled out boy. He tends to avoid any drama going on in the colony, although he can be quite protective of Issy and he will tell the youngsters off if they come too close to his nest.
'He's also pretty smart so when it's sunny or hot you'll find him in the shade keeping cool.'
Edinburgh Zoo is home to over 100 Gentoo, Northern rockhopper and King penguins. The attraction is famed for its Penguin Parade, which first took place in 1951 when a keeper accidentally left the gate open and a few curious penguins left the enclosure.
The parade became a much-loved daily ritual until March 2020, when it was stopped to avoid people gathering in large crowds during Covid.
The Zoo now hosts the 'Wee Waddle', a reimagined version, which is completely voluntary.
Penguins are not coerced into taking part or leaving their enclosure. There is also a small, 'penguin-sized' fence separating the birds from visitors along the short route.
Edinburgh was previously home to the world's oldest rockhopper penguin. Mrs Wolowitz was killed by a fox that broke into the enclosure in 2022, just months after she celebrated her 35th birthday.
The world's oldest rockhopper is now thought to be 34-year-old JT in Moody Gardens, Texas, a year older than 33-year-old female Janet who lives at Montreal Biodome in Canada, and two years older than Edinburgh's Nestor.
Edinburgh Zoo has the oldest Rockhopper Penguin.Nestor 32 (Back and Right) and his partner Issy 16 Picture Alan Simpson
Edinburgh Zoo has the oldest Rockhopper Penguin.Nestor 32 (Back and Right) and his partner Issy 16 Picture Alan Simpson
Edinburgh Zoo has the oldest Rockhopper Penguin.Nestor 32 (Back and Right) and his partner Issy 16 Picture Alan Simpson
Keeper Katherine Burnet PHOTO Alan Simpson
The penguin enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo
Picture Alan Simpson
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