The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is beloved by everyone in the city. While also teaching the public about wildlife with the animals there, they also contribute greatly to conservation efforts around the world. These include working closely with Polar Bears International, the most prominent organization helping to save polar bears. The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium (PZA) also works to rehabilitate cold-stunned sea turtles during the harsh winter season, releasing them in May for them to continue their species. These efforts are widely recognized by visitors of the zoo as they go to see the large array of animals including giraffes, eels, red pandas, gibbons and…pengins! The PZA houses a flock of Gentoo and Macaroni Penguins in the zoo. These interesting birds love socializing, swimming and eating delicious fish treats!

Zookeepers are aware of how curious these birds are and know that they need lots of new things to keep their minds occupied. Enrichment is a large part of animal care at the zoo, where zookeepers find creative ways to entertain and exercise the animals’ minds. One way they do this for the penguins is by hosting Penguins on Parade every winter! A large barrier is set up on the entrance to penguins’ habitat where people normally walk through. Guests line up along it to await the penguin’s arrival. Then at 11:30 the penguins are released to roam around outside!

Some penguins went to the middle where enrichment activities were. Zookeepers make bubbles and have ribbons to entertain the penguins. The penguins chase the bubbles and the ribbon and are very excited. These enrichment activities make the penguin parade a great time for the penguins. Many guests snap photos of the penguins while they are running around. While the majority of the flock is Gentoo Penguins there are also Macaroni Penguins. Mother and daughter duo Aria (back) and Iceberg (front) rock yellow feathers on the tops of their heads, distinguishing them from the rest of the flock.​​ These two penguins stuck together the whole parade, Aria staying close to her mom. Aria is one of the youngest in the flock, which makes sense why she wanted to stay close by Iceberg’s side. 

The zookeepers explained how participation is completely voluntary for the penguins. They open the door and say “Alright, who wants to come owt!”. There’s normally a big rush of penguins that want to go explore but some stay behind, preferring their habitat. The penguins having the choice of being outside or inside makes it a better experience. 

Once outside the penguins are greeted by a nice group of people. A few penguins go right up to the barrier where the zoo guests are. This included Mambo(left). Prior to the zookeepers releasing the penguins they explained some useful guidelines. Sometimes the penguins get  a little too curious about the fence and figure out how to slip under it. For instances where it seems the penguins are planning on going through the fence the zookeepers said to block them like a hockey player. There have been escapes in the past but it’s never a huge deal since the penguins can’t get very far on foot, they’re much faster in the water!

Before the parade the penguins were excitedly hopping around in their habitat. The penguins love to explore outside and play with their bubbles and ribbon toys. If you haven’t gone to this special event at the zoo yet you still can! This event happens weekly every Saturday and Sunday until February 22nd. For the comfort of the penguins the zookeepers have special requirements for the weather for the penguins to parade. It needs to be between 25 and 45 degrees fahrenheit for the penguins to go outside. If it’s too warm the penguins could get sick since they’re not used to it. While you may not like to go to the zoo in the snow, some penguins only like to go on the parade in the snow! This includes Floppy (front) who normally stays inside during the parade is known by the zookeepers to pull a switch-a-roo when it snows. This adorable Penguins on Parade event is not to be missed and is an essential part of everyone’s winter festivities.