Aquarium of the Pacific Penguins Are Up Close In New Permanent Habitat

by Diana Lejins

Photo credit: Diana Lejins

The new permanent exhibit offers an up-close opportunity to meet the first penguins in the Aquarium's collection.

Here's lookin' at you, kid. Photo credit: Diana Lejins

The Aquarium says over 75% of the planet's penguins are endangered or threatened, and its new habitat features educational panels and interactive touch screens with information about penguins and their survival.

Photo credit: Diana Lejins

Yes, viewed from below the water line. Photo credit: Diana Lejins

In a release, the Aquarium says some of the birds were rescued near Rio, Brazil and deemed non-releasable to the wild because of health concerns. "Scientists speculate that these birds ended up north of their normal range in search of food due to climate change and overfishing," its release says.

Shake a tail feather! Photo credit: Diana Lejins

And the Aquarium's new habitat has now become a family affair: a penguin chick hatched at the Aquarium on May 6 and the parents are raising the new baby behind the scenes.