Magellanic Penguins
The Aquarium of the Pacific actively participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquarium's (AZA) Magellanic Penguin Species Survival Plan (SSP).
When the June Keyes Penguin Habitat opened in 2012 the acquisition of all of the birds was coordinated through the SSP, with some birds coming from other AZA accredited facilities. Five birds, however, were rescued after they were found stranded on a beach in Brazil.
Magellanic Penguins are typically found near the southern tip of South America on the coasts of Chile and Argentina, where they feed on small fish such as sardines and anchovies. Hundreds of these penguins were found stranded in Brazil in 2011. Most likely a result of climate change, the penguins’ food sources are changing and they must travel farther in search of food. After rescue, some of these birds were strong enough to return to the wild while others, including the five we received, were deemed unreleasable because of health issues. Three of the original rescued birds are still in the exhibit. As of August 2020, Magellanic penguins were listed as a species of least concern, however their populations are decreasing.