Philadelphia Zoo has a brand-new reason to visit: a colony of Magellanic penguins has arrived at the newly renovated Hollenstein Ross Penguin Point habitat, and they are already stealing hearts.
Magellanic penguins are easy to spot — black and white, with two black stripes across their chests, unlike their Humboldt cousins, which have just one. The upgraded habitat features a brand-new indoor space and a 5,500-gallon pool that improves animal welfare behind the scenes, while guests watch the penguins dive in their outdoor pool and explore their outdoor habitat.
The new arrivals came to Philadelphia through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan, which strategically pairs animals to support healthy populations. Each bird already has its own personality: a playful 5-year-old female often leads the colony in group porpoising, a curious 1-year-old male is a little standoffish, and a 15-year-old veteran is famous for swiping fish from his neighbors — usually while swimming away from the feeding team.
Photo: Philadelphia Zoo
