210416 Penguin Days 1
James Neiss/staff photographer
Niagara Falls, NY - Tristen Hertel, 10 mos of Lockport, got to see his very first Penguin at the Aquarium of Niagara. The aquarium is hosting Penguin Days 2021 this weekend. For more information visit http://www.aquariumofniagara.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aquarium to Host Celebration in Honor of Penguin Chicks’
First Hatch Day
View photos & videos of Smitty and Jules here
What:
Penguin Days 2021
The Aquarium’s youngest penguins are turning one! Join us for a weekend of celebrations featuring these lively and playful birds.
Visuals and opportunities to include:
Penguins interacting with guests and enrichment items
A penguin ice sculpture created and donated by students atNCCC’s Niagara Falls Culinary Institute
Educator demonstrations (10am-3pm)
Live-streamed penguin encounters (1pm Saturday, 11am and 1pm Sunday)
Penguin “biofacts” (feathers, eggs, bones, etc.)
Themed promotional items for sale in the gift shop with a portion of proceeds going to the Punta San Juan program for Humboldt penguins
Interviews with penguin keepers & Aquarium staff
When:
Saturday, April 17 - Sunday, April 18, 2021
9am-5pm daily (see above for specific presentation times)
Where:
Aquarium of Niagara
701 Whirlpool Street
Niagara Falls, NY 14301
Cost:
Penguin Days activities and presentations are included with the purchase of Aquarium admission.
Admission:
Adults: $19.95
Children (12 & under): $14.95
Seniors (60+): $17.95
Due to COVID-19 related capacity restrictions, guests are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets online ahead of their visit. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate walkups.
Background:
The Aquarium’s juvenile penguins, Smitty and Jules, were the first penguin chicks to hatch at the Aquarium in more than 14 years.
Their hatching was made possible by the $3.6 million renovation of Penguin Coast in 2018. The exhibit upgrade helped the Aquarium to earn accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and enabled the Aquarium to participate in the Species Survival Plan for the Humboldt penguins. Humboldt penguins are deemed “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Through the Species Survival Plan, the Aquarium works with other accredited zoos and aquariums to breed Humboldt penguins, preserving genetic diversity, and ensuring species survival should wild populations go extinct.
Smitty and Jules have quickly become guest favorites and can often be seen in the water interacting with guests and enrichment items.
Media Contact:
Christine Streich, (716) 390-9020, cstreich@aquariumofniagara.org
About the Aquarium of Niagara
The Aquarium of Niagara is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization. With our community and our partners, we celebrate our natural wonders and inspire people to make a difference for aquatic life. We are home to more than 120 different species, including ten rescued and non-releasable marine mammals. The Aquarium is open daily at 9:00am year-round, except for Christmas and Thanksgiving. For more information about the Aquarium of Niagara visit http://www.aquariumofniagara.org.
