April 25th marks the start of the Adelie penguins’ migration northward into the surrounding Antarctic seas. They will swim only about a few hundred miles (or 600km), where they’ll stay aloft among the icebergs, chowing down on the krill and other penguin-y favorites.

600 kilometers? That’s not too far to “migrate.” True. They don’t really go anywhere. Since April is part of the Antarctic “winter”, it gets darker down there and the Adelies find it very hard to see in the darker days so they’ll travel north where it’s a bit brighter to hunt for food and come back in the “spring.”

Hope today is a educational yet fun Penguin Day for you! If you have time, learn some more about penguins or maybe do something penguin-like whether it be checking them out at the zoo/aquarium or finding an activity that incorporates them in a fun way.

Happy World Penguin Day!

Bonus! Here’s  a short educational video about Adelie penguins in general.

The Newport Aquarium’s newly renovated penguin exhibit sponsored by Kroger, dubbed “Penguin Palooza” will open its doors on March 26th, showcasing more penguins and even interactive features. Along with the King, Gentoo, and Chinstrap penguins, the exhibit will now feature six Rockhoppers making the Newport Aquarium’s penguin habitat one of the most diverse in the country. The Rockhopper is commonly recognized by its yellow crested feathers above its red eyes. Also they will be hosting six Inca Terns (not a penguin), a uniquely plumed bird found on the coasts of Peru and Chile. Of course, we can’t forget about the African Blackfooted penguins that aren’t in the regular exhibit since they’re temperate climate. Randy, Paula, and Simon are featured for the daily Penguin Parade and the Penguin Encounter up-close program.

The exhibit will feature rock formations which the aquarium had worked with experts to design, giving the penguins more variety in paths and nesting areas. There will also be a new show in store for guests with a presenter who will entertain guests with penguin facts and will interact with animated penguin characters on the exhibit’s new high definition video board. Guests will also enjoy newly, expanded seating to sit up close and watch the penguins play and swim. If that’s not enough, there will also be a Penguin Playground in which children will be able to entertain (and educate) themselves with interactive activities, maps of penguin habitats, “fast fact” video displays, and photo opportunities with life-size penguin sculptures.

Wow! What a revamp. I can’t wait to visit the Newport Aquarium to see their new exhibit. Annual Passholders will be able to get an hour sneak-peek on March 26 (9am-10am) while the doors open to the public at 10am. (Ooh! Wish I had a pass!) Their penguins are pretty much the sole reason I go to the aquarium. I’m glad they save the best for last.

[Penguin Palooza @ Newport Aquarium]

Newport Aquarium’s Newsletter – inDepth_Spring_2011

The eight Humboldt penguins which are housed in the Sofia Zoo for the third day now, are adapting normally and are in great condition.

The information was reported Saturday for the Bulgarian National Radio, BNR, by the Zoo Director, Dr. Ivan Ivanov.

“They have adapted almost in full, and it depends on the weather if they will be let out because the forecast for the beginning of the week is for freezing cold. They have not hatched in their natural environment and must be kept warm. We will let them out when temperatures reach at least 7 degrees Celsius. They walk, swim and are very interesting. They play with the workers and started eating fish” Ivanov says.

The penguins are going to stay at the Sofia Zoo for about a year to a year in a half. If they have offspring during this time, the babies are to remain in Sofia.

[via novinite.com]

A heart-wrenching photograph of an Emperor penguin in grief over the death of many of their chicks. The cause of this mass death is unknown but scientists claim it’s not unheard of. With the reports of birds dropping from the skies, masses of fish floating in rivers, and whatnot, it gets me deeper with my appreciation of this particular animal. I’m sad to hear about this and don’t know exactly what else to say.

[via news.com.au]

Happy Penguin Awareness Day! The time of year to think a little extra of the spheniscadae persuasion.

• Wear penguin-y colors. Maybe black pants with a white shirt?
• If you can, go see some penguins. This may be at the zoo, aquarium, or a local colony for you lucky fellows in Australia and South Africa.
• Watch a movie or video that is about penguins or just has a penguin in it.
• Go to the library and find some penguin related material to read whether it be fiction or non-fiction.
• Search the Internet for penguin information. A good place to start is Wikipedia or even Penguins!
• Play some penguin themed or oriented games whether they be Internet-based, board-games, or imaginary.
• Walk around all day like a penguin.
• Draw and color some penguins. Here’s a fairly easy tutorial on drawing one.
• Do some penguin-y activities. Waddle around, go tobogganing, etc.
• Support a conservation group such as SANCCOB or the Penguin Foundation. If you’re into wine, you can help by buying some wine made by the Little Penguin as proceeds from their sales are donated to the Penguin Foundation.

Feel free to drop a comment and tell us what you did on Penguin Awareness Day. We would love to hear about it!

The Monterey Bay Aquarium has had their first ever African (or Blackfooted) penguin hatch on January 8, 2011.  Aw, that one’s a cutie. More details at the aquarium’s blog, Sea Notes. I really appreciate the extra information they give regarding the chick. Amazing stuff.

[via OurAmazingPlanet]

Update: A second african penguin was born on Tuesday, January 11th. Congratulations!

‘Snow penguin’ seen outside Tennessee Aquarium

[via Chattanooga Times Free Press]

A baby African penguin somehow had escaped its enclosure at the Allwetterzoo Münster and wandered into the enclosure for the zoo’s lions. It is believed that the penguin had walked across the frozen ice of the pool surrounding its enclosure and waddled off. After coming up the path to the lions’ enclosure, it made a big leap onto the partially frozen moat. Luckily for the chick the lions were asleep inside their den. The zookeepers were able to coax the penguin out of the enclosure with a trail of herring. The brave penguin has since been named “Leona” after her daring adventure.

Am I the only one wondering why there are African penguins in an outdoor enclosure where there’s snowfall possible? Brrrr! A little chilly for a temperate climate penguin, I think.

[via Allwetterzoo Münster]

A new Gentoo penguin was hatched at the Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid on December 29, 2010, weighing in at about 90 grams. What a cutie. The curator says that they may see more Gentoo eggs hatch this month as well as a few King penguin eggs. Oh, and they also have a live penguin cam going as well.

[via KHOU]