[ad_1]
The 14 African penguins at the Singapore Zoo have started a new routine since the zoo closed on April 7, the first in its history, to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
They have since been allowed to leave their compound to explore other spaces in the zoo as part of a new set of enrichment programs planned by Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS).
“We look forward to taking this opportunity to take animal welfare to another level,” said WRS assistant manager Ravan Tan, 39.
Found on the rocky shores of Southwest Africa, African penguins can tolerate higher temperatures than other penguin species.
Still, they are only taken out in the morning between eight and 10 o’clock, and their temperatures are constantly monitored. The latter is done by observing the pink color of your eye glands, which darken if your body temperature is too high.
The excursion occurs two or three times a week and is limited to 20 minutes. Previously, they were confined to their indoor and outdoor exhibition areas.
Enrichment activities are designed to be varied to keep penguins engaged. During an excursion, for example, penguins wandered through a playground, sea lion statues, and the island of orangutans near the penguin exhibit. They had also gone swimming in a pool and played beach obstacles in a sandbox in front of the Borneo orangutan island exhibit.
Since penguins tend to move in groups, the zookeeper just needs to guide the leading penguin in the right direction.
In their enthusiasm, they have also tried to overtake the zookeeper. Mr. Tan said: “The younger penguins are more mischievous and daring … they will not follow the crowd of other penguins, so they must be carefully monitored.”
[ad_2]
