PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Penguins may waddle awkwardly on land, but when it comes to water – they’re smooth, sleek, diving machines.

On Thursday, a pair of babies prepared to take their first dip at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium.

They were little bundles of peach fuzz when they were born to two sets of parent in June. Now, Kimber and Cookie are full size.

They approached the water’s edge nervously, with some encouragement from penguin keeper Katy Wozniak.

“Penguins spend 75 percent of their lives in the water,” she said. “So, keeping them back in the holding area, they are just really anxious to go out and go swimming.”

Kimber dipped a flipper into the water first, and Cookie looked on apprehensively.

“It’s in their blood,” Wozniak said. “He tested it out and I’m pretty sure by the end of the day he’ll be swimming like all these other birds are.”

Sure enough, Kimber took the plunge, and Cookie followed to find that the water is just fine.

Cookie hatched on June 8 and Kimber hatched on June 13.

RELATED LINKS:
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
More News from the Zoo