Video: Penguins Touring Shedd Aquarium in Chicago

With the COVID-19 situation escalating, people are rightly staying inside (see more on why that’s a good idea here). Businesses are suspending operations, some voluntarily and some as ordered by the government. In short, normal life is on pause as we try to beat this pandemic.

In Chicago, the excellent Shedd Aquarium is one of a number of museums to temporarily close their doors. The animals there of course still need care, though, and a few days ago the folks working there decided to have a little fun. Employees filmed a group of rockhopper penguins—including one named Wellington—wandering the halls of the aquarium. Per the Chicago Tribune, “Wellington was part of a rockhopper group that got to see some of the aquarium Sunday from the perspective of the humans who usually stand there looking at them.” On Twitter, the official tweets with video of the penguins touring Shedd Aquarium had the internet buzzing. Here are the tweets:

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! The black-barred silver dollars also seemed interested in their unusual visitor. pic.twitter.com/KgYWsp5VQD

— Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) March 15, 2020

The adventure continues! ??
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

— Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) March 16, 2020

More on the rockhopper penguins touring Shedd Aquarium, from the aquarium

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