SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium Welcome Penguin Chicks

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: December 20, 2020 9:02 pm

Wellington the rockhopper penguin on one of his adventures this year

Photo Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez

The Shedd Aquarium has celebrated a significant birthday with Wellington, the world famous penguin celebrating his 33rd birthday. This is more than double the average life expectancy of a rockhopper penguin in the wild.

Celebrating this milestone makes him one of the oldest penguins housed at the Shedd Aquarium. This is a result of the regular veterinary attention, a continuous supply of high-quality food and a clean and well-maintained habitat he receives at the Shedd Aquarium.

Wellington the rockhopper penguin on one of his adventures this year

Photo Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez

In the wild an average rockhopper penguin will live for between 10 and 15 years. In human care this average extends out to between 20 and 25 years.

Wellington is now considered a geriatric penguin and he struggles with some age related ailments such as cataracts. He has previously undergone surgery for these which has allowed him to look out across the world on his field trips which have become world famous during the pandemic.

Wellington the rockhopper penguin on one of his adventures this year

Photo Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez

“As online fans have made Wellington world-famous, he’s become an ambassador for the rest of the penguin colony at Shedd, and his counterparts in the wild, and continues to draw interest and curiosity,” said Lana Gonzalez, manager of penguins and sea otters at Shedd Aquarium. “We’re honored to keep sharing his story and dive deeper by highlighting some of the unique attributes about this 33-year-old penguin in hopes to inspire people to learn more and take action to protect penguins.”

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Wellington’s 33rd birthday was celebrated with a virtual party held on Facebook on December 18th 2020.

Wellington the rockhopper penguin on one of his adventures this year

Photo Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez

Learn more about rockhopper penguins – Rockhopper Penguin Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about the Shedd Aquarium on their website – Shedd Aquarium