New England Aquarium Opens Special Home for Elderly Penguins
Six older penguins at the New England Aquarium now make their way through their own specially-designed living space – the first setup like this at the Boston facility.
The area focuses on comfort with easy-to-navigate paths and gentle ramps. These updates became necessary as many of the aquarium’s penguin residents reached their later years.
Most penguins here have lived longer than expected. The aquarium looks after more than 70 birds – including African and southern rockhopper penguins – with over half now in their senior years.
These amazing birds live way beyond normal expectations. Many reach their 30s – living two to three times longer than penguins in the wild.
Looking at the African penguin group – out of 39 birds, more than half have lived years past what’s normal in the wild. This shows just how well they’re being cared for.
The team rebuilt parts of the space with older birds in mind. Easy-to-climb slopes now link different areas, making it simpler for aging penguins to get around.
Clever design choices help reduce physical effort. Every change to the space helps keep older penguins active without wearing them out.
This new approach to caring for older animals could lead to changes at other facilities. The aquarium is leading the way in caring for aging wildlife.
Veterinarians keep track of each bird’s health through personalized care plans. These regular checks help catch problems early on.
The team monitors how much they eat and how they move around. They adjust care as needed to match what each bird requires as they age.