Watch The Adorable Moment 3 Penguins Left Their Aquarium To Play In The Snow
Penguins at Wonders of Wildlife Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri took a field trip to explore the snow.
Experts say Maverick, Reese, and Dora had so much fun playing outside the aquarium’s grounds, and one of them even took a nap.
Gentoo penguins are native to Antartica, so the birds were right at home in the extremely cold temperatures.
Last week, temperatures in Missouri hit record lows, resulting in heavy snowfall and power outages across state. While many residents understandably preferred to stay indoors during the storm, penguins at the Wonders of Wildlife Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri ventured outside to enjoy the snow.
Penguins Maverick, Reese, and Dora got to explore the grounds of the aquarium they call home—and there’s a video of the whole thing! In the clip, the adorable birds walked around in the snow and playfully shook their wings as they took in the wintry surroundings.
“The penguins seemed to really enjoy the snow, they were relaxed and had fun exploring,” says Michael Daniel, General Curator at Wonders of Wildlife Aquarium. “One even took a nap!” He said it was a wonderful “enrichment activity” for the birds. “The Gentoo penguins are native to Antarctica, so the recent climate shift in Missouri was a great opportunity to get them outside.”
The Gentoo penguins felt right at home in the 11-degree weather that would have most of us snuggled up indoors. According to National Geographic, these birds love to hang out in ice-free areas like sheltered valleys and cliffs. And, thanks to their streamlined bodies, they’re built for the water—and can even swim up to 22 miles per hour.
Unfortunately, The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed Gentoo penguins as near-threatened with extinction in 2007, possibly due to polluted and degraded habitats, increased tourism, oil exploration, and disrupted fisheries. The Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium opened their Penguin Encounter exhibit to provide an up-close experience of the birds and educate the public about them.
There are currently 17 penguins in the Penguin Cove, and visitors can “immerse themselves into the sights, sounds, and temperatures” of the Gentoo penguins’ arctic environment from a safe distance. “As with all of our species of animals, we are actively working to bring experiences and knowledge to guests to enhance our overall commitment to conservation and inspire others to be mindful of their direct impact on the environment in their daily lives,” Daniel says.
While the penguins are thriving in their cove, the experts enjoyed bringing them to play out in the snow. And if another storm sweeps across Missouri, Daniel said his team won’t hesitate to bring them outside. Here’s to hoping for another penguin field trip!
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