Curious Penguins Explore Empty Aquarium and Meet the Other Animals

Staff Allow Curious Penguins to Explore Empty Aquarium and Meet the Other Animals

By Emma Taggart on March 18, 2020

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A post shared by Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) on Mar 15, 2020 at 10:56am PDT

If you’re in need of some light relief from coronavirus news, here’s a story that might help. Along with many other venues, Shedd Aquarium in Chicago has closed its doors to the public until March 29 in order to protect the public from COVID-19. Staff are still working to make sure the animals are kept safe and well; but, on Sunday, they also used the rare opportunity to allow its adorable penguins to explore the empty grounds (supervised, of course).

Shedd Aquarium recently posted a number of videos and photos online, showing the curious penguins having a look around. In one particular video, a male penguin called Wellington is captured observing fish swimming behind glass. “Some of the penguins went on a field trip to meet other animals at Shedd,” the staff write on Instagram. “Wellington seemed most interested in the fishes in Amazon Rising! The black-barred silver dollars also seemed interested in their unusual visitor.”

In another video, a pair of rockhopper penguins named Edward and Annie are captured waddling around the rotunda. “While right now is strange to us, it’s a normal day for the penguins and other animals at Shedd,” the staff write on Instagram. “Our caregivers are constantly providing new activities, experiences, food and more to allow the animals to express natural behaviors.” Next week, Edward and Annie—along with some other penguins—will begin building their nests in preparation of breeding season. Shedd Aquarium will broadcast videos of the occasion, allowing anyone to watch online.

Watch the videos below and keep up to date with the penguins’ adventures via Shedd Aquarium’s Instagram.

After temporarily closing due to coronavirus concerns, Shedd Aquarium in Chicago allowed its curious penguins to wander around the empty grounds.

While this may be a strange time for us, these days feel normal for animals at Shedd. Our caregivers are constantly providing new experiences for the animals to explore and express their natural behaviors with. Let us know what penguin activities you would like to see! (3/3) pic.twitter.com/ftlow7iPHl

— Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) March 16, 2020