At the zoo, could it give a penguin a start? (3)
I believe the answer is:
ape
'at the zoo' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'it give a penguin a start?' is the wordplay.
'it' becomes 'e' ('e' can mean 'electronic' which is similar to 'IT').
'give' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'penguin' becomes 'p' (this might be a standard abbreviation of which I'm unaware).
'a start?' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'a' put next to 'p' is 'ap'.
'e' after 'ap' is 'APE'.
'could' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ape that I've seen before include "Take off" , "Imitate, clumsy person (colloq.)" , "Monkey" , "Imitate uncritically" , "Imitate like primate" .)