Newport Aquarium to grow penguin colony, move cold-weather birds
The facility will expand its African penguin exhibit from a small group to a full colony, requiring the relocation of its cold-climate penguin residents.
By Luis Medina ·
Newport Aquarium plans to increase the size of its African penguin exhibit within the next few months. The expansion will transform the current small ambassador group into a full breeding colony.
Chris Plante, the aquarium's director of Zoological Operations, stated that the transition aims to benefit both individual birds and the species' long-term survival. He noted that a larger colony improves the facility's capacity to support the species for future generations.
African penguins are classified as critically endangered. Fewer than 20,000 remain in the wild, with populations located in South Africa and Namibia. The aquarium reports that the remaining wild population represents just 1% of the original numbers.
To make room for the expansion, the aquarium will relocate its cold-climate penguins to other zoos and aquariums. Staff spent months coordinating these placements with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan coordinators. They evaluated the health, age, and social needs of each bird to find suitable new homes.
The cold-climate penguins will remain on view through the holiday season. The aquarium will host a three-day farewell event for the animals from November 20 to 22. Officials said they will share more details about the new exhibit and conservation partnerships as plans progress.
