Penguins Connie and Major General Sir Nils Olav with their egg. (Edinburgh Zoo via SWNS)
By Filipa Gaspar
The world's highest-ranking penguin is set to become a father after his partner laid an egg.
The aquatic bird - Major General Sir Nils Olav III, Baron of Bouvet Island - has taken keepers at Edinburgh Zoo by surprise with his "short work of charming" new partner Connie.
Connie laid an egg in the early hours of Friday, August 14, with keepers saying they had not expected them to lay eggs until 2027 at the earliest.
The lucky father is Major General Sir Nils Olav III - officially recognized as the world's highest-ranking penguin. It is the first king penguin egg at Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland in 17 years.
Sir Nils is the mascot and colonel-in-chief of the Norwegian King's Guard, with the name "Nils Olav" and his associated ranks having been passed down through three king penguins since 1972.
He was promoted to brigadier on August 22, 2016, during a ceremony attended by more than 50 members of the Norwegian King's Guard. On August 21, 2023, he was promoted again, this time to major general.
Sir Nils is recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's highest-ranking penguin.
(Edinburgh Zoo via SWNS)
Connie is a newcomer to the zoo having arrived in January alongside two other females, with the egg being laid at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo.
In pictures shared by Edinburgh Zoo, Connie and Sir Nils can be seen tucked into a quiet corner protecting the egg, which is only visible when they move it between them.
Darren McGarry, head of animal care at RZSS, said: "It was a lovely surprise to find a king penguin egg for the first time in almost two decades.
"We expected the girls would need time to settle in but Sir Nils made short work of charming Connie. She clearly is a fan of his military status."
King penguins lay a single egg, which takes around 55 days to hatch. Parents keep the egg on their feet, taking shifts to keep it warm.
Michael Livingstone, senior keeper at RZSS, said: "We could not be more excited for Connie and Sir Nils.
"They are inexperienced parents-to-be so we will keep a close eye on them. Their instincts are strong and we are cautiously optimistic but there is a long way to go."