A Penguin Encounter

By Christi Minter

The pitter-patter of little feet and shrilling screams from the distance made me think of children.  At four feet tall, clothed with tuxedo-like feathers and equipped with large beaks, I was not experiencing children. I just had a penguin encounter.
Going to see the penguins located in the Aquarium Pyramid South Atlantic Exhibit at Moody Gardens is one of the most unique adventures I have ever experienced.  Although the temperature is a chilling 45 degrees and currently dropping for their winter, the penguins were warm and friendly.
 Marine biologist and trainer T’Noya Thompson was my tour guide around the premises to witness the penguins and their caretakers. 

“I couldn’t imagine doing anything else,” Thompson said.  “Ever since I was young, I always wanted to work with marine animals.”
With 104 penguins, a lot is involved in their feeding and care; the more helping hands, the better.  As two volunteers washed down the kitchen area, I was enlightened on food preparation.
Just like any other kitchen, cleanup is necessary to make sure the area stays sanitary.  
In a nearby freezer, iced buckets of apelin (Mallotus villosus), silversides (Menidia menidia), herring (Clupea harengus harengus) and the occasional mackerel (Scomber japonicus) await for mealtime.
I left the feeding to the experts and as a journalist, I got special permission to go further behind the scenes. I slipped on some rubber boots and stepped through the gate to enter the land of penguins.  To the left, people stood watching the penguins through glass.  I stood engulfed by walking tuxedos.
In awe of the squawking birds in my presence, I quickly learned they go by different names and portray distinct personalities.  Some were very excited to see me and some were skeptical of me inside their territory.
In the penguin habitat, water submerges a dry area giving the penguins the luxury to swim, dive or just relax. Among this penguin group were five out of 18 species found around the world including: King, Chinstrap (because of the line under their chin), Gentoo, Rock Hopper and Macaroni.
 I then joined a family of four in another room to experience the real penguin encounter.  The door opened and in entered Watson, a King penguin.   Thompson started off by explaining about the exhibit and sharing her knowledge about the penguins.  As Watson got comfortable with everyone, Thompson prepared him for the art show. With water-based paint on his feet, Watson performed his walk of art on a canvas, which was later given to a guest.
 “The penguins were my favorite part,” said Christi Woung of Lakewood, Colo., who  visited Moody Gardens, while on vacation with her family.  
From seeing the penguins play with bubbles to mealtime craziness; the penguins were extraordinary to watch.  The exhibit is heart-warming, full of laughs and educational.
Visitors can choose from a 45-minute Public Penguin Encounter Program for $40 each or a Private Penguin Encounter Program for $300 per group of up to four people.  For more information, call 800-582-4673 or visit moodygardens.org.