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So Dang Cute: Penguins Prep for New Home in the LBC
Photo Courtesy of Robin Rigs/Aquarium of the Pacific
The penguins are coming! The penguins are coming!
This week, the new June Keyes Penguin Habitat at the Aquarium of the Pacific will open its doors, giving rescued Magellanic Penguins a new permanent home, and visitors a chance to learn about their lives and the environmental issues that threaten their survival.
In a "crawl-in" space that will let Aquarium visitors feel like there in the space with the animals, this new Habitat will also feature rescue birds from Rio, Brazil. "Scientists speculate that these birds ended up stranded north of their normal range in search of food due to issues such as climate change and overfishing," explains the Aquarium in a news release about the habitat. "Over 75 percent of penguins are endangered or threatened," notes the facility.
"Perhaps never before have penguins experienced such rapid environmental changes. The fate of penguins is tied to ours,” said Dr. Jerry R. Schubel, Aquarium of the Pacific president. “We can help them by choosing sustainable seafood, decreasing carbon emissions, reducing pollution, and protecting areas where these penguins breed and forage,” said Schubel.
The Habitat was built to simulate the rocky beach native to the penguins, and visitors will get to see them from both above and below the water level.
We couldn't resist getting a peek at a couple of the little guys who will call the habitat home.
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Photo Courtesy of Robin Rigs/Aquarium of the Pacific
The June Keyes Penguin Habitat opens Thursday, May 17, kicking off a summer of educational events about penguins, too.
In the meantime, "squeeeee!" along with us at these cute pics.
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