Something very special is happening, and it's evident when you first walk in the building. "Where are the penguins," visitors want to know. Well, the penguin islands are all empty because the birds have been moved to make room for the Giant Ocean Tank animals. The transformation of the Giant Ocean Tank is underway!
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| Visitors get to see little blue penguins in their new temporary holding exhibit. |
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| Some of the graphics up in the temporary exhibit explaining the construction changes. |
Most of the penguins that normally live at the Aquarium are at an off-site holding facility during this important construction project. But the little blue penguins are still delighting visitors just steps away from their usual home! Look for these full-grown birds near the New Balance Foundation Marine Mammal Center. From the looks of it, the little blues are settling in just fine. In fact, they're ready to take a dip in their pool.
When are the penguins going to return to neaq?
ReplyDeleteI was planning a trip just to see them, so now I will reschedule.
While most of the penguins are off-site, there are still penguins in the building! Look for the little blue penguins around back near the New Balance Foundation Marine Mammal Center. As you can see in the video, you can get right up close to them in their temporary exhibit!
ReplyDeleteThe rockhopper and African penguins will return after the transformation of the Giant Ocean Tank.
When will all the penguins be back?!
ReplyDeleteThe African and rockhopper penguins will be back in their usual exhibit in early summer 2013. But you'll still be able to get your penguin fix all winter long. The little blue penguins will be on exhibit the whole time!
DeleteSince the penguins are on vacation, have you stopped the activity where people get to interact with the penguins. I was looking to take my girlfriend here for that activity in January as a birthday gift, but I will reschedule if need be.
ReplyDeleteAren't you so thoughtful to be planning ahead for a January birthday! I'm afraid that we do not offer penguin interaction experiences, even when all the birds are on site. They can be a bit nippy.
DeleteBut we have some pretty fantastic seal interaction programs! http://www.neaq.org/seals
are the penguins back?
ReplyDeleteawww you should have a penguin interaction experience...I got to pet one in FL when I traveled back in 2006...I was in love :)..And I'm a wee bit sad I wont be able to see all the penguins except for the little blues. I primarily go to the aquarium to see my favorite animal, penguins!
ReplyDeleteOh, we wish you could see all the penguins, too! But you can get really close to the little blues through the glass. When are you visiting? Though we don't know how much you would like to pet our penguins. They're pretty wild and some of them nip!
DeleteMy family and I are planning a trip for this weekend but now I am worried that the large center aquarium is blocked off... is that right?
ReplyDeleteAny updates on the Penguins? Will they be back in time for the Mother's day weekend - May 12, 2013? I really hope so - my mom-in-law loves penguins and I was hoping to surprise her by bringing her and my daughter here for Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteAll penguins will be returning at the beginning of summer, when construction of the Giant Ocean Tank is completed. But you don't have to wait until then to see penguins! We have a cozy temporary exhibit for our little blue penguins near the Marine Mammal Center. Check out the Penguin Blog to learn about some exciting happenings in the colony!
DeleteHi - How much of the aquarium is going through renovations right now? I was hoping to come in this weekend, but wondering if i should wait.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
There are still thousands of animals to see at the Aquarium right now—seals, sea lions, jellies, octopus, cownose rays (you can even touch them! we have the largest shark and ray touch tank on the East Coast), tropical fish, Amazon rainforest fish and frogs and much more. While there is water and divers in the big tank right now, there are no fish. Those fish are all in the first level penguin exhibit now. Most of the penguins are off-site, but the unbearably adorable little blue penguins are still visible in their temporary exhibit near the marine mammal center (as this blog explains). Plus the IMAX Theatre is open and the harbor is beautiful this time of year.
DeleteSo it's definitely an exciting time to visit! We hope you'll come this weekend and take in the sights.
We will be in Boston the first weekend of August to see the Red Sox and plan on visiting the aquarium. Will the penguins be back by then?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! Sounds like a great time to visit. The New Aquarium Experience will be in full force by then, and yes, all 90+ penguins will be back in their usual spot by July 1!
DeleteIs the Central Tank populated with fish yet, or are they all still in the first level? Looking to visit either this weekend or next. Assuming that it will take more than one day for "Relocation" to happen, so wondering if later is better than not?
ReplyDeleteGood question, and we can safely say that the tank is positively teeming with fish now! There are hundreds in there now with more being added every day—plus turtles and rays and gorgeous corals... There are still some fish in the lower level exhibit, so no penguins yet, but the big tank is bustling. Hope to see you around!
DeleteThank you for that information!
Deletewe are planning on going this weekend..will the penguins be back by then?
ReplyDelete