WATCH: Penguins walk free in aquarium during coronavirus closure

One aquarium in Chicago is barring guests during the COVID-19 pandemic—so it is allowing its own resident penguins to have a run of the place.

Shedd Aquarium announced on March 13 that it is closed to the public until March 29 as a precaution amid the coronavirus outbreak. It assured the public that caretakers and veterinarians will still look after the animals during its temporary closure.

With exhibits empty, the aquarium allowed one of its rockhopper penguins to explore, as seen in a video yesterday, March 16, on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9w3JvYjQ5S/

The aquarium said, “Some of the penguins went on a field trip to meet other animals at Shedd. Wellington seemed most interested in the fishes in Amazon Rising!”

Today, it shared a video of a pair of rockhopper penguins, Edward and Annie, looking around the facilities with curiosity.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9zx-xDD9DL/

The Shedd said it will keep providing digital coverage of its animals during the closure and assured, “Our caregivers are constantly providing new activities, experiences, food and more to allow the animals to express natural behaviors.”

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered bars and restaurants to close yesterday until March 30. Museums and zoos in the state announced temporary closures to minimize the spread of the coronavirus, the Chicago Tribune reported on March 13.  /ra

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