SeaWorld has moved its Emperor penguin colony across the country.
Last month, SeaWorld San Diego removed its Emperor penguins from public view, in preparation for their move across the country to SeaWorld Orlando. The Emperor penguins will debut in Orlando's Antarctica habitat later this week, with passholder access on June 12-13 in advance of the penguins' official Florida debut on Saturday.
"This is an incredibly rare and exciting opportunity for guests to encounter one of nature's most extraordinary species," SeaWorld Orlando President Jon Peterson said. "We're proud to continue SeaWorld's legacy of penguin care and conservation, while giving our guests a rare chance to connect with these animals in remarkable ways."
SeaWorld San Diego successfully bred an Emperor chick two years ago, adding to its collection of Emperor penguins, which has been the only one on public display in the Western hemisphere. Now, fans wishing to see the penguins will have to do so in Orlando rather than San Diego.
The move also now makes awkward SeaWorld's decision to name its 2022 San Diego Bolliger & Mabillard dive coaster Emperor. Well, at least that one remains in California.
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People have been talking for years about SWSD rebuilding the penguin habitat. Now there are rumors that all the Antarctic species in the habitat will be relocated, lending support to the idea that the aging habitat will be replaced or removed.
Orlando had to modify the temp and lighting of its habitat to accommodate the Emperors, but from what I understand, capacity was not an issue.
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There aren't a lot of details of how the exhibits on both coasts will be impacted by this "migration". Will any of the existing penguin species in Orlando be displaced or relocated. Will new species (or displaced species from Orlando) be brought in to fill out the exhibit in California? I've always been awestruck by the Antarctica exhibit in Orlando since it was redone to make it open air, and it will make viewing of the magnificent Emperors amazing for guests willing to handle the freezing temps. The California exhibit was also tough to get great looks at the species because of the glass that got splattered with salt water from the swimming penguins and the moving walkway closest to the glass made it impossible to linger to view the penguins from up close (you can stand behind the walkway, but the viewing angles are not nearly as good).