new england aquarium

african penguins

ageing penguins

Geriatric penguins living the good life

@JudyEv (387298)

Rockingham, Australia

June 10, 2026 10:10pm CST

I found a feel-good story today about the New England Aquarium in Boston. They’ve installed a fenced-off area for seven elderly African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) away from the more noisy, active younger ones. Birds in captivity often live longer lives than those in the wild. While 10-15 years is the average lifespan in the wild, one geriatric penguin is 36, while his mother died in 2023 at 42. The birds are fed fish individually. These may contain extra vitamins, important medications or extra water to keep the birds hydrated. Just like elderly humans, some of the birds have glaucoma, arthritis and/or spine issues. The birds are regularly checked and any health conditions addressed. They also receive ‘enrichment programs’ to prevent boredom. Lucky penguins I say. The photo of African penguins is in the public domain.

21 people like this

21 responses

@LadyDuck (508701)

• Italy

11 Jun

Incredible what a difference can make taking care of those penguins. We see the same checking the average life expectancy of humans through the world, from the almost 87 years in Monte Carlo to 55 years in Nigeria.

3 people like this

show previous comments

@LadyDuck (508701)

• Italy

11 Jun

@JudyEv - I think so, also the life of stray cats is very short compared to house cats.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Jun

Ready access to food and no predators would have a lot to do with longevity for creatures in particular.

2 people like this

Show more comments

@rebelann (118592)

• El Paso, Texas

11 Jun

I suppose many wild animals benefit from being in captivity, for one they don't risk hunting for food and failing. Now I'm curious if they are in a public place where people can view them.

3 people like this

show previous comments

@rebelann (118592)

• El Paso, Texas

11 Jun

The wild is so much harsher than captivity for many animals @JudyEv

2 people like this

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Jun

I think they are. It says they're just inside the entrance to the aquarium. They can see the other penguins but can't be jostled or flustered by them.

3 people like this

Show more comments

@AmbiePam (126118)

• United States

11 Jun

I really like that; it’s so cool!

3 people like this

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Jun

I thought it was cool. They have a little island to themselves but there are gentle ramps and shallow steps so it's easier for them to get up and down.

1 person likes this

@FourWalls (87461)

• United States

11 Jun

That’s cool! They get to go on outings like elderly people at retirement homes? Where do they take them, the zoo?

Seriously, it’s great that they’re cared for and not just discarded when they get old.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Jun

They do guided tours around the rest of the aquarium - I kid you not, well, not much anyway.

4 people like this

@rakski (160028)

• Philippines

11 Jun

that is much better than being in the wild

2 people like this

show previous comments

@rakski (160028)

• Philippines

11 Jun

@JudyEv so true!

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Jun

Yes, those are lucky little penguins.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@Deepizzaguy (124878)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

11 Jun

Nice to know that elderly penguins are enjoying their lives in an aquarium.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Jun

They are luckier than some people, that's for sure.

2 people like this

@Deepizzaguy (124878)

• Lake Charles, Louisiana

11 Jun

@JudyEv You are right.

1 person likes this

@GardenGerty (170499)

• United States

11 Jun

Sounds like a really good life for those seven penguins, especially.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jun

They're some of the lucky ones, for sure.

@allen0187 (59971)

• Philippines

11 Jun

These elderly penguins are indeed living the good life. Perks of being in captivity I guess.

1 person likes this

show previous comments

@allen0187 (59971)

• Philippines

13 Jun

@JudyEv true that! Plus, people to actually watch over them... what more can a penguin ask for?

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

13 Jun

@allen0187 And entertainment provided! lol

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jun

As much food as they need and no predators. They couldn't ask for more.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@teamfreak16 (46129)

• Denver, Colorado

11 Jun

That's cool. Penguins and elephants are my favorites. I could watch penguins for hours!

2 people like this

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Jun

We rarely get the chance but I have seen them in zoos. I love the way they waddle along.

1 person likes this

@LindaOHio (223789)

• United States

15 Jun

Aww. I love this. I like the fact that they don't have to deal with the rowdy youngsters.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

16 Jun

I'm sure the penguins enjoy the peace and quiet too.

1 person likes this

@Ineeddentures (46482)

•

11 Jun

Wow what a really nice story Judy I had no idea that Penguins could live so long And these older penguins seem to be in a very good place and it's great that they are looked after so well Lucky penguins indeed

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jun

Zoos have changed so much over the years which is a great thing. I remember seeing lions in small, barred enclosures many years ago. Things have changed so much.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

13 Jun

@Ineeddentures There are zoos and zoos. Some are much better than others.

1 person likes this

@Ineeddentures (46482)

•

12 Jun

@JudyEv Nobody should be keeping Lions in captivity I don't really like Zoos But I know they are now better than they used to be

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@valherma00 (5254)

• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)

13 Jun

this penguins species always seem so cheerful to me. i am glad they live this long.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

14 Jun

These have a very good life now.

1 person likes this

@valherma00 (5254)

• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)

16 Jun

@JudyEv it's not a star hotel cause, they don't have a freedom like in wild but they have more care than in wild.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

17 Jun

@valherma00 They will have a longer and better life here but of course freedom counts for a lot.

1 person likes this

Show more comments

@Wrexxo (6427)

•

11 Jun

Those penguins are living the life..of course, they will live long because they are well taken care of..lucky bunch

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Jun

They don't have to worry about where their next meal will come from and they are safe from predators.

1 person likes this

@Wrexxo (6427)

•

11 Jun

@JudyEv you are right..they are indeed lucky

1 person likes this

@Jehanne (2476)

• Philippines

11 Jun

This is first for me to know they had such kind of health issues like humans. If only human too have a enrichment program for free, I might joined.

Indeed! Penguins are lucky they're being taken care of.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Jun

Several have had an eye removed because of glaucoma.

1 person likes this

@Jehanne (2476)

• Philippines

12 Jun

@JudyEv that's sad to know.

1 person likes this

@rsa101 (41821)

• Philippines

11 Jun

It’s great that they’re being cared for. At least they can spend the rest of their lives healthy and peaceful, away from the younger ones who might stress them and shorten their lives with competition they can no longer keep up with.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Jun

They will hopefully live long and happy lives.

@snowy22315 (212365)

• United States

11 Jun

There are some benefits to living in captivity.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

11 Jun

There definitely are. It's good if there is a more-or-less natural environment and plenty of space.

@wolfgirl569 (139913)

• Marion, Ohio

11 Jun

That's a sweet thing to do for them

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jun

I thought so too. They'd have no stress at all now.

1 person likes this

@Traceyjayne (13445)

• United Kingdom

11 Jun

That’s really great. I love the fact people are looking after them so well.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jun

They are lucky little penguins, that's for sure.

@Shiva49 (28777)

• Singapore

11 Jun

Nice to read about such uplifting stories. They are our fellow travelers that enrich our lives. When they live well, we too feel fulfilled.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jun

I'm sure their keepers are very attached to them.

1 person likes this

@Wrexxo (6427)

•

11 Jun

These penguins are living the life.. lucky bunch I must say....they even receive enrichment programs..that's awesome. Of course, they will live long because they are well taken care of

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (387298)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Jun

I'm sure their keepers are very attached to their charges.

1 person likes this