Come Face-to-Face with Newest Penguins at Shedd Aquarium

Shedd Aquarium is officially introducing the four Magellanic penguin juveniles (Spheniscus magellanicus) to the public as the newest arrivals join the full penguin colony, making them visible to guests that visit the aquarium. Three of the birds have also officially received their names to be identified. Visitors have a chance to come face-to-face with these new additions along with the rest of the colony of over 30 Magellanic and rockhopper penguins in the aquarium’s Polar Play Zone.

Even though they are still considered juveniles, these penguins are now fully grown, already reaching the height of many adult birds in the colony. The newcomers also began eating fish, socializing with adult birds, interacting with animal care staff, and more. After hitting all their important development milestones and growth targets, they now received their names.

Select donors of the aquarium, who are long-time supporters of the non-profit organization, and animal care teams helped choose names for the penguins:

• Rosie, female – named to signify Rosario, Argentina or Santa Rosa, Argentina, by Marci Matthews and Akron Children’s Hospital. The hospital held a special virtual penguin encounter for families to meet the juvenile bird and other birds, learn first-hand from animal care team members about penguins and vote for the name in real-time.
• Loma, female – reflects Punta Loma, Argentina chosen by Shedd’s animal care team
• Stewart, male – represents Isla Stewart (Stewart Island), Chile chosen by Shedd’s animal care team
• Another male bird who is the most vocal of the group, will receive its name from a longtime and generous supporter of the aquarium

The animal care team at the aquarium has continued to watch these penguins grow, meet milestones and develop their own distinct characteristics. Rosie is very inquisitive, while Loma is calm and sweet, and Stewart is bold and confident. With all Magellanic penguin hatchlings, these birds contribute to Shedd’s overall knowledge and care for these animals, and the aquarium’s participation in a conservation effort among aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in a cooperatively managed Species Survival Plan for Magellanic penguins.

To have a chance to meet these new arrivals who can be identified by their lighter feathers, the public can plan a visit to the aquarium to see the penguins that call Shedd home. Guests can also attend an onsite penguin encounter for a more in-depth experience with the birds, or classrooms also have the unique opportunity to attend a virtual field trip focused on penguins where they can observe the animals up close and learn some of the surprising ways that Shedd staffers care for these charismatic birds.

BACKGROUND: This spring, Magellanic penguins began creating nests and preparing for breeding after animal care experts altered their environment to simulate a change in seasons. The four new additions arrived during April and May and have been hitting all their developmental milestones since. While every birth at the aquarium is significant, these new Magellanic penguin additions contribute to Shedd’s conservation effort in a cooperatively managed Species Survival Plan.

VISUALS: High resolution visuals of the four new additions joining the full penguin colony on exhibit are available for preview and download here:
https://personal.filesanywhere.com/fs/v.aspx?v=8e6c65875e6074b09ea7. Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium