(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Wellington, the Shedd Aquarium’s celebrity rockhopper penguin, has hit a major milestone.
The Shedd denizen that drew notice for his pandemic-era jaunts through the then-closed aquarium has just turned – are you sitting down? -- 35.
Well, for a penguin, that’s pretty old and well beyond their typical lifespan of around 10 to 15 years in the wild, Shedd officials say.
Also celebrating a 35th “hatch day” this year is another rockhopper penguin, Magdalena. Together, they are the longest-living penguins in the history of the Shedd.
“They are testaments to the quality of care at Shedd, which includes regular veterinary check-ups, a continuous supply of high-quality food, a clean and well-maintained habitat and stimulating enrichment activities like the penguins ‘field trips’ beyond the colony’s habitat at Shedd,” the aquarium said in an announcement Tuesday.
Wellington and the rest of his colony were expected to get colored ice treats to celebrate his longevity.
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