Sponsored message
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts & Entertainment

So Dang Cute: Penguins Prep for New Home in the LBC

20120512_AOPpenguin_6781w.jpg
Photo Courtesy of Robin Rigs/Aquarium of the Pacific

Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.

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.

Sponsored message


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.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible year-end gift today

A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right