There are no silver linings during a global pandemic, but there are bright spots that help us get through the darkest times. Sometimes they are kind acts that make us feel better about each other. Other times they are moments of levity that ease the tension we are all feeling. And sometimes they are penguins roaming around their closed aquarium checking out the other exhibits. That last one’s definitely our favorite, after the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago shared some amazing videos of their penguins visiting fellow animals.
Penguins in the Amazon?! 🐧🌴
— Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) March 15, 2020
Some of the penguins went on a field trip to meet other animals at Shedd. Wellington seemed most interested in the fishes in Amazon Rising! The black-barred silver dollars also seemed interested in their unusual visitor. pic.twitter.com/KgYWsp5VQD
The Shedd Aquarium is closed for at least two weeks due to coronavirus. But their animals still need to maintain a normal routine, which includes having new experiences. For their rockhopper penguins, that has meant walking around the rest of the aquarium and seeing some of their brethren. The resulting videos are absolutely wonderful to watch. They waddle around like curious visitors who are having the vacation of a lifetime.
The adventure continues! 🐧🐧
— Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) March 16, 2020
This morning, Edward and Annie explored Shedd’s rotunda. They are a bonded pair of rockhopper penguins, which means they are together for nesting season. Springtime is nesting season for penguins at Shedd, and this year is no different! (1/3) 👇 pic.twitter.com/VdxN3oQAfe
Don’t worry about the penguins’ safety (or the safety of any fish they might try to eat). Their tiny romps through the aquarium are completely supervised by the staff. This is a chaperoned penguin field trip to the aquarium. It’s also a kind of date for the bonded pair of penguins named Annie and Edward.
While this may be a strange time for us, these days feel normal for animals at Shedd. Our caregivers are constantly providing new experiences for the animals to explore and express their natural behaviors with. Let us know what penguin activities you would like to see! (3/3) pic.twitter.com/ftlow7iPHl
— Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) March 16, 2020
In the words of Barney Gumble, “Just hook it to my veins!”
We only have one potential issue with these walking tours: they should never end. The penguins should continue to get free reign of the aquarium even after it reopens. We’re not suggesting the penguins walk around while human visitors are there. But maybe after hours, or on days the aquarium, they can get to visit their animal friends.
Even during the best of times we always need cute penguin videos to brighten up our day.
Featured Image: Shedd Aquarium