On a day when most other animals chose to be indoors, the Albuquerque BioPark hosted an annual event for Penguin Awareness Day. The event, which took place on Friday, Jan. 24, was in the Penguin Chill building, which mimics the penguin's typical habitat.
The event offered guests a chance to see three types of penguins that live in Penguin Chill. While the BioPark does host a fourth species, the little penguins are not part of the chilled habitat. The little penguin enclosure is part of the new Australian exhibit, but the colder weather didn’t permit them to be outside.
“The great news about our Penguin Chill habitat is it's indoors,” said Tori Fox, the science education coordinator for the BioPark. “It's a great way to add an activity and an engaging learning opportunity for guests.”
The three species in the Penguin Chill exhibit are king, macaroni and gentoo penguins. King penguins are the largest at the BioPark and the second-largest species in the wild, behind the emperor penguin. Macaroni penguins have distinct yellow feathers on the top of their heads, while gentoo penguins have a white stripe that goes across their heads. Other key features include the size and color of the birds’ beaks and feet.
At the event, guests could learn how to identify the species of penguins and were encouraged to try to identify individual penguins by their names. Each bird had a different color zip tie around their wing so that individuals can be identified. There were lists that guests could look at to find the name of each bird.
Visitors had the chance to learn more about the different species from one of the many volunteers who worked at the event, as well as from the many informational plaques placed around the exhibit.
While most of the plaques are permanently placed, the event featured a booth that included more information about the evolution of penguins and the specific features that distinguish the different species.
Guests could also watch the penguins get fed. As the handler scattered squid around the enclosure, the penguins swarmed around before diving into the water to fetch their food. However, as one of the handlers explained, some of the penguins were entering molting season, which decreased their appetites.
The event aimed to encourage conservation efforts, with a board asking people to make a pledge to participate in more sustainable behaviors such as recycling and riding a bike instead of driving.
“We recommend doing research and sharing the knowledge with your friends and family,” Fox said. “We also recommend shopping for sustainable seafood.”
While none of the species of penguins at the BioPark are endangered, the macaroni penguin is classified as vulnerable.
“We assist with a conservation breeding program for a couple of species of our penguins, so that we help maintain the population in human care, which is important for research and population sustainability worldwide,” Fox said.
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Elizabeth Bolke is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobocom or on X @dailylobo
Jaden McKelvey-Francis is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo
