It's been a cool year to tide it up at Birch Aquarium as five penguins slid into their new digs yesterday, joining the colony just in time for the festive season. According to a recent report, two of the latest flippered friends, named Nugget and Meatloaf, traveled all the way from the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden to make a splash in their new home on the West Coast. The other three came tumbling in from the Adventure Aquarium in New Jersey, eager to join the party.
The aquarium's Assistant Curator of Birds, Kayla Strate, was thrilled about the newbies, especially the girl penguins. "These new penguins are such an important addition to Birch Aquarium, especially the females!” said Strate in a statement from Birch Aquarium's newsroom. She highlighted that these avian additions are crucial for the collaborative breeding program, which aims to keep the colony's genes as varied as a holiday cookie platter and as healthy as a reindeer on a gym regimen.
Surely, the Birch Aquarium isn’t winging it regarding conservation efforts. Strate continued, explaining that the program is a safety net for wild populations, equipped with the “knowledge and tools to step in and make a difference” should those wacky, wild waters get rough.
Visitors looking to spot Nugget and Meatloaf, along with their three unnamed future pals, can look out for their wing bands—a techie combo of colors like pink or white for Nugget and a rock and roll purple or red band for Meatloaf. As per the colorful bands sported by the three others, identified by Birch Aquarium, they are a mix of yellow/blue, yellow/yellow, and purple/blue, not quite Christmas lights but close enough.
For those who fancy learning more about what makes these seabirds cooler than winter in Antarctica, Birch Aquarium has got you covered with daily penguin talks and feedings. The full belly and brain schedule is available for peeking on the aquarium’s website.
