Happy Penguin Awareness Day! Where to See Penguins in NJ (+Fun Facts!)
Happy National Penguin Awareness Day! And in that spirit, I want to make YOU aware of where to find penguins in New Jersey.
Adventure Aquarium – 1 Riverside Dr, Camden, NJ
The Adventure Aquarium is home to two different species of penguins: The African Penguin and the Little Blue Penguin.
Little blue penguins are the smallest species of penguins in the world, growing an average of 13 inches in height and weighing in at just 3 pounds on average. They are originally from coastlines and inshore waters of southern Australia and New Zealand. At Adventure Aquarium you can find them at Little Blue Beach which has been created to replicate nest boxes used in Australia.
Both penguins have feeding times at the aquarium where you can find out more information about them. Residents include Sheila (#8), Phillip (#5); Kororaa (#10), Indigo (#6); Kirra (#12), Spud (#3) Maremma (#11) and Bloke (#4) and these penguins are coupled up! Like humans, little blue penguins only stay “married” 50 percent of the time, but will stay monogamous during the breeding season.
The African Penguin, which is an endangered species, can be found at their 17,000-gallon oasis known as Penguin Island where you can watch them swim, frolic, and dive by in their underwater viewing window.
Each year, the breeding season kicks off at Adventure Aquarium at the beginning of September and goes through mid-January. The aquarium decides the number of chicks to add based on their institutional needs and the needs of the AZA’s Species Survival Plan. During the 2020 African Penguin breeding season, Adventure Aquarium welcomes three chicks, bringing their African penguins colony roster to 51.
Jenkinson’s Aquarium – 300 Ocean Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
African penguins are also the resident penguin of Jenkinson’s Aquarium. If you’d like to check in on the penguins, the aquarium has set up a penguin cam!
Additionally you can book a penguin encounter ($100, 30 min experience) or adopt a penguin including popular residents Captain Jack, Checkers, Lilo, Zuri, and more.
Fun Fact: I once ate pizza with the penguins. It was an event hosted by Jenkinson’s
Turtle Back Zoo – 560 Northfield Ave, West Orange, NJ
Turtle Back Zoo is also home to African penguins, their newest indoor exhibit, “Shores of Africa” recreates the South African coast line where these birds are found.
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Fun Fact: The African Penguin is now the official name for the black footed penguin, also known as the jackass penguin, that lives on the rocky shores and in the water around southwest Africa.
