Penguin Valentines

Help us show some love for our colony of African penguins!

Celebrate Valentine's Day Academy-style as we gift our penguins heart-shaped tokens of affection during their daily feedings on February 12, 13, and 14, at 10:30 am and 3 pm.   

African penguins normally make nests by burrowing and collecting any available material to line their nests—today, that includes felt valentines. They are collected mostly by male birds, then offered to the females or placed in nests to encourage breeding. As novel items, the hearts help reinforce the penguins couples' bonds. Enrichment activities like this are done frequently by biologists to keep the Academy’s penguin colony engaged.

Can't make it in person? Tune in to our penguin webcam to watch the sparks fly.