Penguin stars of ice athletics are playing the audience with ball-handling and feet-tapping skills in a never-before-seen show on Auckland’s waterfront that has visitors to the family marine experience in raptures.
Billed as the coolest visitor attraction at Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World, the 80-strong colony of penguins can be seen going beak-to-beak in the new ‘penguathlon’ experience.
Waddle-friendly events
The snow-bound penguin stars are showing off their skills in a world-first series of five waddle-friendly events involving football, frisbee, surfing, swing ball and waddle races.
But, as Kelly Tarlton’s are keen to point out, the penguathlon shouldn’t be viewed as a one-off circus-style event.
It’s really a serious business because the penguins play these games on a regular basis as part of their enrichment programme. Developed by the Kelly Tarlton’s curatorial team, the games help to ensure the physical, mental and emotional well being of the birds.
The penguathlon was designed to showcase the enrichment programme, and while the event is programmed to run until the 10 May, popularity has prompted the organisers to consider repeating the idea in the future.
Penguathlon viewing
Penguathlon visitors are able to see the tuxedoed penguathletes up close on the snowcat ride or via big screens throughout the exhibition.
After watching the king and gentoo penguins show their skills on the ice, visitors can then put their own penguin prowess to the test.
The Kelly Tarlton’s staff have also designed a special kids’ version of the events where they can waddle their way to victory wearing giant penguin feet with an egg on top, or play swing-ball wearing flippers on their hands.
Penguin profiles
Penguin player profiles will also allow visitors to get to know individual stars including ‘Stretch’, ‘Maggie’, ‘Buttercup’, ‘Phoenix’, ‘Eskie’ and ‘Poppy’.
The profiles include facts about the unique personalities of the individual birds, and the differences between the two species so that visitors can decide if they’re king or gentoo supporters.
NZ penguin colony
Kelly Tarlton’s staff have been looking after penguins for 15 years, since the opening of the Antarctic Encounter in 1994. The attraction is the only colony of sub-Antarctic penguins in New Zealand.
It’s hoped the penguathlon will give visitors the chance to learn more about penguins, their fragile environment and why the enrichment activities featured are so important for the birds’ welfare.
Twice daily feedings and a ‘life on the ice’ presentation are also part of the penguin experience at Kelly Tarlton’s.
A current bonus is the chance to see a baby king penguin chick. Staff say the “ultra-cute” babies are just starting to emerge from their mother’s protection to explore their icy environment.
Penguin enrichment programme
Kelly Tarlton’s penguin enrichment programme includes:
•making changes to structures in the penguins’ enclosure by increasing the amount of snow and building mountains, and tunnels
•presenting novel objects such as soccer balls and frisbees for the penguins to investigate and explore
•simulating climatic changes that occur in the sub-Antarctic cold and windy days
•changing how food is presented such as stuffing herrings into a ball to encourage penguins to forage.
More information: Kelly Tarlton’s
Tags: Auckland, Kelly Tarlton's, Penguins