We’ve been treated to another penguin encounter and once again it is so very cute!
The first penguin field trip of the new year! 🐧 Penguin chick Sir Elio explored stingrays as they glided by his (webbed) feet in Wild Reef. pic.twitter.com/6kxOvDR4Ya
— Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) January 13, 2021
Sir Elio, who hatched in May of 2020, is the same Magellanic penguin chick that waddled around the aquarium’s 4-D theatre late last year when the aquarium team set up a flurry of field trips to keep the penguins, and us, entertained.
It's a penguin parade! 🐧 Magellanic penguin chick Sir Elio and adults Dolores and Sparrow waddled into the 4-D theatre to explore.
Fun fact: penguins waddle because their legs are behind their hips! pic.twitter.com/lxuG772ZvO
— Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) November 12, 2020
The excursions began during the first wave of Covid-19 and videos of the Shedd Aquarium’s adventurous penguins went viral on more than one occasion.
Two befuddled penguins “Tilly” and “Carmen” wandered far from their aquarium exhibit in March of this year and came face to face with Kayavak the Beluga whale whilst another group of Shedd Aquarium penguins took a trip around Soldier Field in November.
What does a penguin at @SoldierField sound like? Sound on 🔊 to make some noise for the end of Monday! pic.twitter.com/mchropd2Pf
— Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) November 24, 2020
Sir Elio’s trip is the first of the year and Shedd Aquarium have promised that there will be many more to come while the aquarium remains closed. If Sir Elio follows in Wellington’s footsteps, the rockhopper penguin who’s lived double his life expectancy and celebrated his 33rd birthday last month, then he has a long and exciting life ahead of him!
You can sign up for a Virtual Penguin Encounter via the aquarium’s website or keep your eyes peeled for the new penguin excursion!
[Featured Image from Unsplash]