Penguin Pebble Painting Might Be Just What the Doctor Ordered

It’s nearing springtime, which means love is in the air for the penguins at the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland. If they were in their natural habitat some 8,000 miles south, they would be rounding up pebbles to give to potential partners. At the zoo, the pebbles have to come to them. That’s where kids at Edinburgh Children’s Hospital (ECH) come in.

Pebble presentation is the penguins’ way of bonding with a mate. Male gentoo penguins will collect stones of the right size, then offer them to nest-building females. If the female likes the stone, she will add it to her nest. The male will most likely become her breeding partner for the season.  

When the weather starts getting warmer, the zoo’s penguins instinctively look for pebbles. To provide them each year, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland partners with the children’s ward at ECH. Children admitted with serious illnesses often face long stretches of waiting or rehab. An art project can be just the thing to brighten a day. And pebble painting is a perfect pastime.

Once a patient has painted a pebble they can watch on the zoo's live feed to see which of the birds select their pebbles. Chorizo gets very excited each year. He is one of the zoo’s largest males. 

“The session with the zoo was such a welcome distraction,” one mother told ECH. “The activity really helped to keep her happy during some tough tests and treatment. She was so excited to see Chorizo and his pals enjoying the pebbles she painted!”    

Thought Question: What is an activity or creative project that helps you feel happier or more relaxed during a difficult or stressful time?

Photo of penguin picking up painted pebbles from Instagram courtesy of @echcharity.