GALVESTON ISLAND, Texas, Dec. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Moody Gardens is announcing a special holiday Penguin Watch in anticipation of penguin chicks hatching around December 28, 2015.
The South Atlantic Exhibit in the Aquarium Pyramid houses Gentoo, King, Macaroni and Rockhopper Penguins. The Penguin Watch has been issued for the two Gentoo Penguin eggs and one Rockhopper Penguin egg that have been laid in the exhibit.
"We are always excited to welcome a new generation of penguins," said Diane Olsen, Assistant Curator as she referenced the impending chicks. "It is a true testament to the high quality of work our keepers put into the care of the birds."
The public is invited to get involved by forecasting the date and time the chicks will arrive as part of "Penguin Watch 2015." Predictions about the arrival of the chicks can be submitted using Twitter (@MoodyGardens) or Facebook with the hashtag #MGPenguinWatch. Participants need to follow the social media accounts to win.
The person that most accurately identifies the time of the arrival of the chicks will be awarded a Penguin Encounter for 4 people. If there is more than one hatching, a prize will be awarded for each chick. A Moody Gardens Penguin Encounter is a 45 minute presentation that allows guests to meet a penguin. During the experience guests are led by a Moody Gardens biologist from the front of the exhibit to behind the scenes of the penguin food preparation kitchen and then to the back of the chilly penguin exhibit. A variety of topics are covered by a Moody Gardens biologist including penguin biology, conservation, training, enrichment, and care.
The penguins reside in the Moody Gardens Aquarium Pyramid, the largest aquarium in Texas. With 1.5 million gallons of water, the building houses life from four distinct ocean environments and the collection in this popular pyramid includes seals, sea lions, sharks, thousands of fish, including more than 79 penguins.
The expected arrival of these new chicks comes after this week's celebration of Wagner, the Chinstrap Penguin's, birthday. Wagner is now 32 years old and has been identified as the oldest Chinstrap penguin in North America. This means that when the chicks arrive, Moody Gardens will be home to both the oldest and youngest penguins together in the same exhibit, until another chick hatches elsewhere.
For more information call 800-582-4673 or visit www.moodygardens.org.
Moody Gardens® is a public, non-profit, educational destination utilizing nature in the advancement of rehabilitation, conservation, recreation, and research.
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SOURCE Moody Gardens
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