Exhibit island provides calm, comfortable environment
Six African penguins at the New England Aquarium are settling into a new “retirement home” that is providing a comfortable environment as the birds age.
More than half of the Aquarium’s penguin colony has met or surpassed their typical life expectancy of 10–15 years in the wild. Last year, staff began to reimagine the penguin exhibit and create a designated space for birds experiencing medical conditions related to advanced age.
“Our goal is to take a proactive approach to managing geriatric animals in an environment that better meets their physical and behavioral needs,” said Kristen McMahon, the Aquarium’s Curator of Pinnipeds and Penguins.
The team decided to separate one island from the main penguin colony that would provide the Animal Care team with a “bird’s eye” view to easily monitor the animals daily both in person and via a video feed. Careful records are kept on each penguin’s behavior, feedings, and more so that staff can quickly spot changes that might be indicative of ailments that afflict older penguins, such as foot injuries and cataracts.
The island features flat areas with mats and maintains the penguins’ social dynamic. Staff gradually transitioned six penguins to their new island home over the past month. Among the residents are Harlequin and Durban, both age 32, who have been a pair since 2000 and raised eight chicks together. Joining them is Boulders, the second-oldest penguin in the colony at age 34, who is showing symptoms of arthritis, and 29-year-old Isis, who has struggled socially with some of the younger birds in the colony as she ages. Lambert, a 32-year-old bird with a history of cataracts, has also moved into the retirement community with his younger mate, Dyer, who is 14.
“We think of this island like assisted living, where we’re helping the birds be more comfortable in a calmer environment,” said Diana Major, Manager of Penguins.
Aquarium staff say in the future the area may be helpful for other birds in the colony, regardless of age, that may require a more specialized space to manage medical needs.
Trainers and Animal Health Department staff at the Aquarium are in constant communication about the penguins and collaborate on behavioral training to help administer appropriate treatments. This includes feeding older penguins hydrated fish that have been injected with extra water to promote kidney health, administering daily eye drops, applying foot treatments to prevent infections, and giving the birds acupuncture and physical therapy. Staff also plan to modify the retirement island by installing more flat areas and sloping ramps to make it easier for the older penguins to climb on and off the island.
“The New England Aquarium places a high priority on husbandry, which involves specialized training to get the animals comfortable with healthcare. Being relaxed is key, and we think the new retirement home will ultimately lead to happier and healthier penguins,” Major said.
African penguins are an endangered species that inhabit the coasts of South Africa and Namibia, which are threatened by the depletion of food from overfishing, climate change, and pollution. The Aquarium is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) SAFE African Penguin program, an international effort to protect and restore wild African penguin populations. As a member of the program, the Aquarium participates in educational and conservation initiatives for African penguins, including field conservation work with the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB). Aquarium penguin trainer Nick Vitale traveled to South Africa late last year to help rehabilitate rescued wild African penguins with SANCCOB, providing daily care such as feeding, weighing, and administering medication. The Aquarium plans to send another trainer to South Africa later this year.
About The New England Aquarium
The New England Aquarium is a nonprofit research and conservation organization that has protected and cared for our ocean and marine animals for more than 50 years. We provide science-based solutions and help shape policies that create measurable change to address threats the ocean faces. We inspire action through discovery and help create engaged, resilient communities.
