Penguin Visits Beluga Whales While Aquarium Is Closed Due To COVID-19

Apr 06, 2020 by apost team

An aquarium in Chicago decided to let their penguins explore the facility while it is closed to the public due to COVID-19. On a trip through the aquarium, one of the penguins got to see some beluga whales for the first time.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, most countries have imposed drastic restrictions on public life to stop the virus from spreading. Amongst other public facilities, a large number of aquariums was therefore closed to the public for the time being.

One of the aquariums that currently closed its doors is the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. But while the public isn’t allowed to experience the aquatic animal world on-site, the aquarium staff decided to let some of the facility’s residents roam free in the meantime.

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The Shedd Aquarium now gave their penguins the chance to explore the facility for themself. Accompanied by their caretakers, the little adventures waddled through the exhibits and were amazed at the sight of so many other animals.

Luckily the staff decided to film the penguins’ strolls through the aquarium and to upload all of them to their social media platforms. One video shows one Shedd Aquarium’s oldest penguins, a rockhopper penguin named Wellington visiting some beluga whales. An encounter that would probably never happen in the wild as “Belugas are northern hemisphere animals, so they would likely never see a penguin,” according to Shedd Aquarium’s Instagram post. 

But Wellington isn’t the only penguin roaming the facility. His friends Tilly and Carmen had also paid the beluga whales a visit two days earlier while rockhopper penguin, Bosco, was fascinated to watch some of Shedd Aquarium’s most beautiful sea fishes. 

Talking to Chicago Tribune Shedd Aquarium’s staff explained that while there are no visitors around they are trying to find creative ways to enrich the animals’ everyday life by “introducing new experiences, activities, foods and more to keep them active, encourage them to explore, problem-solve and express natural behaviors.”

What are you thinking about the penguins’ trips through the aquarium? Let us know in the comments and be sure to pass this article along to others!