SAN DIEGO
(FOX 5/KUSI)
— While SeaWorld San Diego was once able to boast the theme park was the only place you could see emperor penguins in the Western Hemisphere, that distinction now goes to SeaWorld Orlando.
SeaWorld San Diego bid farewell to its
Emperor Penguins to SeaWorld Orlando
, which will be
introducing the birds on June 14
at its Antarctica Realm habitat.
It remains uncertain whether or when the penguins will come back to San Diego. According to reporting from our partners at the San Diego Union-Tribune, who work with FOX 5/KUSI, SeaWorld San Diego plans to revamp its Penguin Encounter exhibit.
SeaWorld San Diego has for years boasted the distinction of being the sole location in the Western Hemisphere where one could observe emperor penguins, which happen to be the biggest among all penguin species.
Ever since breaking records in the 1980s as the world’s sole successful emperor penguin breeding center beyond Antarctica, SeaWorld San Diego has nurtured over two dozen emperor penguins, including recent hatchings in 2023, claims the park.
All 18 types of penguins receive legal protection against hunting and egg collection.
Penguins are vulnerable to habitat destruction, overfishing, ecological disasters such as oil spills, ocean pollution, and human encroachment into nesting areas.
In celebration of the aquatic birds heading to Florida, downtown Orlando has three giant penguin art installations you can find around the city through June 19.
Annual Pass Members were able to get early access to see the emperor penguins at SeaWorld Orlando on June 12 and 13 ahead of their Saturday debut.
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