Magellanic penguins from the Notojima Aquarium in Ishikawa Prefecture take a morning walk on Sunday before the doors open at the Sumida Aquarium in Sumida Ward, Tokyo.
15:07 JST, April 22, 2024
Magellanic penguins evacuated from an aquarium damaged by the Noto Peninsula earthquake are thriving at the Sumida Aquarium in Sumida Ward, Tokyo.
The penguins used to be at the Notojima Aquarium in Nanao, Ishikawa Prefecture, but the January 1 earthquake damaged the aquarium’s water pipes and other equipment. The animals have been evacuated to zoos and aquariums across the country. The Sumida Aquarium, part of the Tokyo Skytree Town complex, received seven Magellanic penguins on February 1.
To get the penguins used to the facility, the aquarium started taking them on walks. Now they even run up the stairs they initially seemed afraid of. Currently the penguins are not part of a public exhibit, but the aquarium is considering displaying them in a large swimming pool.
“I hope their life here is good so we can bring them back in good health,” said one keeper.
