Happy News in California. There’s a New Emperor in Town!

Author’s note: This article is summarized from various sources, and attributions are linked within.

Emperor penguin dancingPhoto byCornelius VenturesonUnsplash

A new emperor penguin that is.

California’s Seaworld in San Diego recently welcomed the first emperor penguin chick hatched there since 2010. Little Pearl was born September 12, adding to the 16 other penguins of her kind in the park.

Pearl was named by fans with that name choice getting more than half of the 29,000 votes.

Though you can stream Happy Feet on several apps, including Amazon, it’s not so easy to see a real emperor penguin in capitivity. “SeaWorld San Diego is the only zoo in the Western Hemisphere where emperor penguins can be seen.” If you in Southern California, this is just another great perk.

Pearl will be separated from the full colony until early 2024, when she’s a little older, and then viewers in the general public will be able to see her. But until that time, because people were eager, SeaWorld San Diego is offering limited viewings with 10% of the proceeds supporting penguin conservation worldwide. There are “two new special tickets to enable a limited number of guests to see her now behind the scenes.”

Eric Otjen, Head of Zoological Operations at SeaWorld San Diego said, "We have been amazed by the outpouring of excitement around Pearl's hatching and cannot wait for guests to be able to see her and follow her journey as she matures. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most people given the rarity of the species, so these new limited-time viewings are something extremely special.''

Due to climate change which is causing loss of Antarctic sea ice and rising sea levels, “Emperor penguins are listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.”

In addition to the park’s 17 emperor penguins, SeaWorld boasts another 300 from various species “including King, Gentoo, Macaroni, Chinstrap and Adélie penguins, as well as nearly 90 puffins and murres.” The penguins thrive in a climate controlled (25 degree) habitat.

Click here to get your tickets and see little Pearl and all her penguin friends.