This aquarium lets penguins explore and visit other animals as it’s closed to humans

The Chicago Shedd Aquarium is closed to the public until March 29, but this doesn’t mean no one visits the animals.

While they won’t be able to welcome people out of an abundance of caution, they still let their penguins enjoy a guided tour of the aquarium.

They have recently shared a heart-melting video of two adventurous penguins, Edward and Annie, exploring the area and meeting the other animals at the aquarium.

The caption of the video explains that these adorable penguins are “a bonded pair of rockhopper penguins, which means they are together for nesting season”.

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The adventure continues! 🐧🐧 This morning, Edward and Annie explored the rotunda. They are a bonded pair of rockhopper penguins, which means they are together for nesting season. Every spring is nesting season for the penguins here at Shedd, and this year is no different! Next week, penguins, including Edward and Annie, will begin to build their nests. You’re invited to digitally join us for the nesting coverage! In the meantime, we will share a variety of animal activities, and yes, Wellington will return! While right now is strange to us, it’s a normal day for the penguins and other animals at Shedd. Our caregivers are constantly providing new activities, experiences, food and more to allow the animals to express natural behaviors. Let us what penguin activities you want to see! 👇

A post shared by Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) on Mar 16, 2020 at 2:09pm PDT

However, Edward and Annie weren’t the only ones to take a tour around the Shedd Aquarium. A male penguin, named Wellington, was the first to see their home from the perspective of a human visitor.

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Penguins in the Amazon?! 🐧🌴 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! Other animals like the black-barred silver dollars also seemed interested in their unusual visitors. Swipe right to view Monte’s trip in Polar Play Zone.

A post shared by Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) on Mar 15, 2020 at 10:56am PDT

Wellington is captured walking around the Amazon Rising exhibit. He is clearly excited about seeing his potential dinner swimming on the other side of the glass doors. This curious penguin was part of a rockhopper group that explored the aquarium, just like regular human visitors.

The Shedd Aquarium shared with the Chicago Tribune:

“Without guests in the building, caretakers are getting creative in how they provide enrichment to animals. Introducing new experiences, activities, foods and more to keep them active, encourage them to explore, problem-solve and express natural behaviors.”

Meanwhile, the Shedd Aquarium will continue to share online a variety of animal activities and experiences. In such unusual times, they promise they would keep posting interesting details about the life of the animals.

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Out of an abundance of caution and to do our part in the social distancing that may help protect our community from the further spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Shedd Aquarium has elected to temporarily close to the public for two weeks through March 29. During this time, all scheduled events and programs will be cancelled but may be rescheduled to a later date. Please read more here through the link in our bio. While we are disappointed that we won’t be able to welcome you to the Aquarium during this time, our dedicated caretakers and veterinarians will continue to provide the highest standards of professional care and welfare for our animals onsite. And, until we can welcome you back, we invite you to stay connected to what our animals and staff are up to behind-the-scenes via Shedd’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels. Tell us what you want to see! 👇

A post shared by Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) on Mar 13, 2020 at 7:42am PDT

On their website, Shedd’s staff explains that until March 29, all scheduled events and programs will be canceled.

However, their dedicated caretakers and vets will continue to take professional, high-standard care for their animals on site. They also invite their visitors to stay in touch with the aquarium via their online platforms.

“And, until we can welcome you back, we invite you to stay connected to them behind the scenes via Shedd’s Facebook and Instagram, as well as explore, experience and learn more about the aquatic animal world through our other digital resources.”

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Release the penguins! 🐧 One of the most rewarding moments our Animal Response Team experiences while helping rescued African penguin chicks at @sanccob is watching them waddle back into the wild! Animal care specialist Michelle Gibbs gives us a peek into what it feels like working with SANCCOB: . "Every day working with the African Penguins at SANCCOB is a long day filled with hard work, but at the same time, is one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had! While the work is fast-paced, it also tests my knowledge and stretches my mind as a penguin trainer. Working at a facility like SANCCOB is exciting because you get the opportunity to work with people from all over the world, and to bond over the incredible work being done to save these endangered African Penguins.” . What we do here at Shedd every day arms us with knowledge we can use to help animals in the wild in need. We share every success like this with YOU—thank you for your support, and thank you @sanccob for all that you do for these endangered penguins and so many other sea birds! . . . #animalrescue #penguins #endangeredspecies #sheddaquarium #chicago

A post shared by Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) on Jan 31, 2020 at 8:41am PST

Hopefully, soon the aquarium will open its doors to people as well. Until then, the penguins have an amazing opportunity to get to know the area. Besides, they can meet and befriend the other animals they share their home with.