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The bubble machine is a "firm favourite" with penguins, said zoo keeper Lorna Moffat.
Colony filmed chasing and popping bubbles
Edinburgh Zoo’s penguin colony has been caught on camera playing with their new bubble machine on Penguin Awareness Day (20 January).
The colony of more than 130 birds can be seen waddling around their enclosure, chasing after the bubbles and trying to pop them.
Penguin keeper Lorna Moffat said the colony “enjoy lots of different types of enrichment, from their water slide to their floating platforms” but the bubble machine is a “firm favourite”.
It was given to the zoo as a Christmas present via its Amazon wishlist for the animals.
“All three of our penguin species loved playing with the bubbles, especially our youngest rockhopper chick who was taking part for the first time,” Lorna added.
RZSS Edinburgh Zoo is home to Europe’s largest outdoor penguin pool. It plays an important role in penguin conservation around the globe through Project Pinnamin, which is a collaboration between RZSS, the British Antarctic Survey, RSPB, Tristan Conservation and the Government of South Africa.
Together, they are spearheading research into the endangered northern rockhopper and the factors affecting its population numbers on Tristan da Cunha, in the South Atlantic Ocean.
Government to ban plastic straws, cotton buds and stirrers Environment secretary Michael Gove has announced plans to ban the sale and distribution of plastic straws, cotton buds and drinks stirrers.
Although non-plastic alternatives are readily available, it is estimated that in England we use 4.7 billion plastic straws, 316 million stirrers and 1.8 million plastic-stemmed cotton buds every year. Ten per cent of cotton buds are flushed down toilets and can end up in waterways and oceans.
Exemptions to the ban will apply for those who need to use plastic straws for medical reasons. Subject to a consultation, the ban is expected to come into force between October 2019 and October 2020.
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Environment secretary Michael Gove has announced plans to ban the sale and distribution of plastic straws, cotton buds and drinks stirrers. 
