March 13, Shedd Aquarium in Chicago announced that it was closed because of The COVID-19 epidemic. Two days later, the Aquarium took the lead after posting a video of rockhopper penguin Wellington walking around the empty, eye-catching aquarium. Subsequent videos featuring new penguins (such as Annie and Edward) exploring new shows, with each new addition to the story gaining a lot of attention.
The videos are fun, because the penguins seem to interact honestly with the other creatures they see and because they are so beautiful. To learn more about these penguin visitors, Polygon reached out to Shedd's senior ethics and behavioral training director, Steve Aibel.
As it turns out, water penguins & # 39; aquarium tours are a regular part of the exercise program and work with penguins, not limited to when the city's road closure is active. "They are familiar with many areas within the Shedd Aquarium," Aibel told Polygon in an email. "The new thing is that they have the entire aquarium itself except for guests."
Amazon penguins?!?
Some penguins take a field trip to meet other animals in the Shedd. Wellington seemed to crave the fish in the Amazon Rising! Blocked silver dollars in black also appear to interest the casual visitor. pic.twitter.com/KgYWsp5VQD
– Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) March 15, 2020
Penguins are closely watched as they wander, to make sure they are always safe. Shedd animal care experts encourage them to explore different areas, to make them comfortable with the variety of activities that take place around the aquarium. According to Aibel, penguins naturally show a curiosity for new things, and their minds are useful for mixing visiting places.
Who will continue to attend this field trip is decided by rotation, the most experienced birds are allowed to roam for a long time, occasionally to help the young birds learn to see new things. In the penguins featured in The Shedd's dinner so far, Aibel describes Wellington as "calm, curious, and conservation-minded," with Annie as a "healthy, delicious and tasty," and Edward as "(loving) swimming and excellent make-up. ”(When we asked who the most dangerous penguin was, Aibel coined the mysterious" Steve ", which will still be seen. Maybe in a future trip?)
The adventure continues!
This morning, Edward and Annie check out Shedd's rotunda. They are rocketper penguins who get close to each other, which means they gather for the season. Springtime is the season for eating penguins in the Shedd, and this year is no exception! (1/3) pic.twitter.com/VdxN3oQAfe– Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) March 16, 2020
Penguins are not the only animals allowed to come out again. Aibel writes: “We believe that all animals benefit from this visit to the urban areas. "Sea lions go out to play ball, macaws fly to the holy halls of the Shed Aquarium and outside the museum forum and many others." It may seem risky to let animals (overweight) get loose, but at least when talking to penguins, they develop a very close relationship with their keepers so that “when they find themselves in a new situation, they often come running back to their caregivers. ”
Wellington, as the first penguin to be featured in the video, is now a star (with his own hashtag, #WheresWellingtonWednesday), but each new penguin has been a blessing to viewers. They are divided into two things, which they experience: We watch ourselves, and we watch other Shedd animals as well. As public health remains a problem, the Sheddans – and these penguins – are our gateways to the world for some time. The aquarium's Twitter account has promised more penguin content, as their restaurant season continues. Maybe that will be our ticket to finally see Steve.
