WildView™

February 15, 2025

Becoming an Encounter Bird

- as seen by -

Olivia Morgan Williams

---

African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) are facing numerous threats in their natural environment. In recent years, data has indicated a 97% population decline with about 8,500 breeding pairs remaining, which has earned these penguins an IUCN Red List of Threatened Species status of Critically Endangered. Now, more than ever, it is vital that people receive education on the threats these flightless birds face. The Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium does just that with our African Penguin Encounter.

Each summer, the Aquarium’s Sea Cliffs staff is hard at work getting potential ambassador penguins ready for the encounter season. A penguin candidate is trained through positive reinforcement to become comfortable with the program. Our keepers begin by training a penguin to voluntarily enter a penguin-sized cat carrier. We do this by simply feeding a penguin near the carrier first, asking it to go inside, and then feeding it inside. Keepers carry the penguin to the encounter room while it is empty to allow the bird to explore the space. The next step is to bring our ambassador bird to the encounter room filled with people with whom it is already familiar. The final step is to add guests to the program.

We always consider variables in this process. Guests have different fashion choices than Aquarium-issued uniforms. Shoelaces, frills, and even colors can catch a bird’s attention. Because of this, we make sure to take everything at our penguins’ pace.

Often, we are asked how we select ambassador penguins to train. Each penguin has a unique personality. We look for the overall demeanor of the bird, its comfort with people, and with new environments. Generally, penguins are a monogamous species with some exceptions. At the New York Aquarium, each of our penguins is paired with a partner, so we consider their relationship with their mate in the training process. We might train both at the same time to give our guests an encounter with a mated penguin pair.

This past year, we brought on a new ambassador, Igor (pictured above). He has quickly risen to stardom with the guests as he has shown such inquisitive behavior during his encounters. Igor has free range of the room while the keeper staff narrates what life is like for an African penguin (inset, above). Though Igor may have started his training at 11 years old, he has already picked up on stationing behaviors, following his keeper, and target training.

All our ambassador birds serve an important role in educating people who can make a difference. Check out the New York Aquarium’s Penguin Encounter for an incredible opportunity to get up close and personal with these endangered birds.

---