As we attempt to curb the spread of illness around the world, that necessarily means many businesses will be closing their doors to the public. While that’s sad to think about, you might feel a little happier when you hear the story of the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, which has been letting its penguins explore the facility in the absence of people.
The adventure continues! 🐧🐧
This morning, Edward and Annie explored Shedd’s rotunda. They are a bonded pair of rockhopper penguins, which means they are together for nesting season. Springtime is nesting season for penguins at Shedd, and this year is no different! (1/3) 👇 pic.twitter.com/VdxN3oQAfe— Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) March 16, 2020
- Shedd Aquarium closed its doors on March 13. In an announcement posted on their website, the facilities wrote, “In the best interest of overall wellness for our community and for each other, Shedd Aquarium is temporarily closed to the public for two weeks through Sunday, March 29. During this period, all scheduled events and programs will be canceled but may be rescheduled to a later date.” Smart decision!
- The penguins have been enjoying their “field trip.” While the facility is closed to the public, the penguins have been enjoying the opportunity to meet their fellow animals since the staff has allowed them to wander around. Shedd Aquarium posted videos to their Twitter account showing a bonded pair of rockhopper penguins called Edward and Annie checking out the rotunda. In another video, a male named Wellington watched the fish swimming in their tanks.
- Staff are trying to maintain a sense of normalcy. While they may not have thousands of visitors pouring in on a daily basis, the staff at Shedd Aquarium are keeping things as normal as possible for the residents. “This may be a strange time for us, these days feel normal for animals at Shedd,” they said. “Our caregivers are constantly providing new experiences for the animals to explore and express their natural behaviors with.”
- It’s worth following Shedd Aquarium on Twitter. Not only can you keep up with what the penguins are up to, you can see what the other animals are doing on a daily basis.
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
