Latest news with #PenguinPoint
CBS News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Penguins hatched at National Aviary join colony with new names
The African penguin chicks that hatched at the National Aviary have new names, and they're ready to join the colony. The aviary revealed the penguins' names on Monday, sharing photos of the adorable siblings waddling around their new home. The oldest sibling's name is Oswald. It was picked by the family of aviary manager Kevin Fonner. The inspiration comes from the 1992 film "Batman Returns," starring Pittsburgh native Michael Keaton. In that movie, the Penguin's real name is Oswald Cobblepot. The younger sibling, a girl, was named Nora in honor of senior director Gina Grone's daughter. Oswald and Nora hatched back in February. They're the 11th and 12th chicks fledged by parents Bette and Sidney. The juvenile African penguin chicks that hatched at the National Aviary in February of 2025 have joined the Penguin Point colony. (Photo: Britta Moletz) Joining the Penguin Point colony Chris Gaus, the aviary's assistant manager of animal care, said staff members took a unique approach towards getting Oswald and Nora ready to join Penguin Point. "In addition to having them interact with their penguin parents, we created an opportunity for the young siblings to slowly acclimate to being in social settings as potential future Animal Ambassadors, while also educating thousands of guests during exclusive Chick Talks this past Spring. After witnessing their comfort levels around others and confirming that they could successfully feed on their own, we knew they were ready to make their official public debut with the colony!" Gaus said. The National Aviary's African penguin colony lives in the Penguin Point habitat. They're a temperate species comfortable in a wide range of temperatures, making them well-suited for Pittsburgh's weather. How the siblings help penguin conservation The aviary says Oswald and Nora's presence in the Penguin Point colony is an exciting step towards saving the critically endangered species from the brink of extinction. The National Aviary is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, meaning the members of Penguin Point play an important role in helping their species rebound and keeping the genetic lines of those in zoos strong, diverse and healthy.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Humboldt penguin exhibit opens at Roger Williams Park Zoo
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — If you're looking for something to do this weekend, you may want to consider a trip to Roger Williams Park Zoo. A dozen Humboldt penguins have moved into a new exhibit called 'Penguin Point.' The zoo is one of only 24 facilities in North America to care for this species. The 'quirky, sun-loving' penguins were flown in from Peru. They favor rocky environments near nutrient-dense waters, according to the zoo. ALSO READ: 6 rehabilitated seals released back into ocean Since 1988, these penguins have been listed as 'vulnerable' as their population continues to decline. With an estimated 12,000 breeding pairs left, the zoo is committed to the 'long-term viability of Humboldt penguins through its involvement in the Species Survival Plan.' The zoo hasn't had penguins since 2013, but announced in 2022 that they'd be returning. The city gave the zoo $1.5 million in COVID-19 relief funds to renovate the old exhibit in hopes of attracting more visitors. Initially, the zoo had planned to bring the penguins back last summer, but the opening date was pushed back due to 'unforeseen circumstances' with the habitat. NEXT: RI beaches open for summer Memorial Day weekend Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Humboldt penguins arrive at Roger Williams Park Zoo
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The Roger Williams Park Zoo officially welcomed a dozen 'quirky' and 'sun-loving' new residents to Providence Friday. The zoo announced on social media that six pairs of Humboldt penguins will soon be moved into a brand new exhibit called 'Penguin Point,' which is slated to open Memorial Day weekend. The penguins were flown in from Peru and will need time to adjust to the colder climate and become familiar with one another, according to the zoo. The zoo is still in the process of renovating its former seal pool, which is where the penguins will eventually take up residence. SEE ALSO: Roger Williams Park Zoo elephants moving to new home in 2027 The harbor seal that used to live in the exhibit, named Bubba, was transferred in September 2022 to the Woods Hole Science Aquarium. The zoo chose to rehome Bubba so he would no longer be alone. (His beloved buddy Action passed away in May 2019.) The Roger Williams Park Zoo last had penguins in 2013 and will now be one of only 24 facilities in North America to care for this specific species. The zoo announced three years ago that penguins would be returning to Providence in the near future. The capital city gifted $1.5 million in COVID-19 relief funds to the zoo to renovate the old exhibit in hopes that the penguins would attract more visitors. Initially, the zoo expected the penguins to be on exhibit by summer 2024. But 'unforeseen circumstances' with the penguin habitat pushed the opening date back to 2025. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Penguins returning to Roger Williams Park Zoo this spring
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The Roger Williams Park Zoo will be welcoming a dozen Humboldt penguins this spring, 12 News has learned. The six pairs of penguins are coming from Peru and will need time to adjust to the colder climate, according to the zoo. RELATED: Roger Williams Park Zoo will welcome penguins in 2025 The zoo is in the process of renovating its former seal pool, which is where the penguins will eventually take up residence. The harbor seal that used to live in the exhibit, named Bubba, was transferred in September 2022 to the Woods Hole Science Aquarium. The zoo chose to rehome Bubba so he would no longer be alone. (His beloved buddy Action passed away in May 2019.) An exact date for their arrival has not been announced yet, but the zoo confirmed that the new exhibit will be called 'Penguin Point.' It's been more than a decade since penguins have lived at the zoo. SEE ALSO: Roger Williams Park Zoo elephants moving to new home in 2027 The zoo officially announced three years ago that penguins would be returning to Providence in the near future. The capital city gifted $1.5 million in COVID relief funds to the zoo to renovate the old exhibit in hopes that the penguins would attract more visitors. Initially, the zoo expected the penguins to be on exhibit by summer 2024. But 'unforeseen circumstances' with the penguin habitat pushed the opening date back to 2025. Hannah Cotter contributed to this report. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
