SeaWorld San Diego Penguin Encounter closing?

If they are planning on removing the arctic penguins and replacing it with a out door exhibit would they keep both the magellan and Humboldt penguins or would they switch to one species
 
Jaxson said:
If they are planning on removing the arctic penguins and replacing it with a out door exhibit would they keep both the magellan and Humboldt penguins or would they switch to one species
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I believe the original user who posted about it claimed they would go down to one species and did not specify which one exactly. Their source seems reliable but right now we have no official info so we’ll have to wait and see what transpires.

Interestingly, they’re still promoting penguin encounter as per their instagram: SeaWorld San Diego on Instagram: "Penguin-credible news! Two of our very own penguins at SeaWorld San Diego have been nominated for Penguins International’s (@penguins_international) annual "March of the Penguins Madness," where penguins go head-to-head in a bracket-style voting tournament to compete for the title of Most Popular Penguin. Meet Esther, the incredible 32-year-old Emperor Penguin who leads the affectionately nick-named "old lady brigade." She played a pivotal role in mentoring Pearl as the penguin chick matured this past year at Penguin Encounter. And let's not forget Stephen, our super social King Penguin (bonus points if you can comment with whom he's named after) whose larger-than-life personality has made him a fan favorite with both guests and our care team! You can vote for Esther & Stephen in @penguins_international's instagram stories, at their website, or by reacting to their Facebook posts. Voting starts March 16, so stay tuned! #MarchofthePenguinsMadness #SeaWorldSanDiego #PenguinsInternational #VoteforPenguins #Pengwin"
 
While no official announcement has been made from the company, I think it is important that I share this information. From trusted sources, I have heard that the emperor penguins will be leaving the San Diego Park by the end of this month and moving to SeaWorld Orlando. Keepers from the Orlando Park have already visited San Diego to learn how to care for this unique species and are prepared for this transfer. Alongside the transfer of all the emperor penguins, a portion of the macaroni colony will be moving to Florida as well. The rest of the penguins and alcids in San Diego’s Penguin Encounter will be leaving the facility in November.

I am posting this here not to spread rumors or misinformation. Instead, I wanted to let local people know, as it is unlikely the company will announce this move in time. This may be your last chance to see emperor penguins on the West Coast. I also want to give those who may be planning a trip to SeaWorld San Diego a heads up of what to expect.

Another announcement I have recently been told is that the Shark Encounter refresh is coming soon. This project is focusing on redoing the roof, filtration system, and shark tunnel. The current plan is to keep the larger fish (sharks and giant grouper) in off-exhibit holding pools for the duration of the project. The smaller species will find new homes in the Park’s other aquariums (Journey to Atlantis and Turtle Reef). This project will start this year and could possibly take up to two years to complete.
 
zoocentral said:
While no official announcement has been made from the company, I think it is important that I share this information. From trusted sources, I have heard that the emperor penguins will be leaving the San Diego Park by the end of this month and moving to SeaWorld Orlando. Keepers from the Orlando Park have already visited San Diego to learn how to care for this unique species and are prepared for this transfer. Alongside the transfer of all the emperor penguins, a portion of the macaroni colony will be moving to Florida as well. The rest of the penguins and alcids in San Diego’s Penguin Encounter will be leaving the facility in November.

I am posting this here not to spread rumors or misinformation. Instead, I wanted to let local people know, as it is unlikely the company will announce this move in time. This may be your last chance to see emperor penguins on the West Coast. I also want to give those who may be planning a trip to SeaWorld San Diego a heads up of what to expect.

Another announcement I have recently been told is that the Shark Encounter refresh is coming soon. This project is focusing on redoing the roof, filtration system, and shark tunnel. The current plan is to keep the larger fish (sharks and giant grouper) in off-exhibit holding pools for the duration of the project. The smaller species will find new homes in the Park’s other aquariums (Journey to Atlantis and Turtle Reef). This project will start this year and could possibly take up to two years to complete.
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So it’s more likely official huh? Wow, this is quite a hard pill for me to swallow as someone who always wanted to work in “Penguin Encounter”, admittedly I was always quite hesitant to work in SeaWorld because of controversy, but seeing the dedicated work done by staff and husbandry of Emperors had inspired me to pursue that potential career. Now that Penguin Encounter is rumored to be shutting down, it’s like a dream going along side it. Obviously I know I can just go to whatever facility the Emperors end up going but I was always looking to work close in Southern CA with family, and not too keen of flying so Antarctica was no option personally for me. I even was going to go far as start a petition to keep Penguin Encounter but I feel that is pointless at this time. I’m not sure of SeaWorld SD current state but dang such another loss after orcas being confirmed phase outs and now Emperors and Adelies? Such a bummer that it couldn’t be saved, and I apologize for this self centered post, I’m just a very passionate penguin fan who’s always been a fan of SD Penguin Encounter with its design and collection, I will miss it. Any how’s apoligies for this long post :oops:
 
peruvianbirdie said:
So it’s more likely official huh? Wow, this is quite a hard pill for me to swallow as someone who always wanted to work in “Penguin Encounter”, admittedly I was always quite hesitant to work in SeaWorld because of controversy, but seeing the dedicated work done by staff and husbandry of Emperors had inspired me to pursue that potential career. Now that Penguin Encounter is rumored to be shutting down, it’s like a dream going along side it. Obviously I know I can just go to whatever facility the Emperors end up going but I was always looking to work close in Southern CA with family, and not too keen of flying so Antarctica was no option personally for me. I even was going to go far as start a petition to keep Penguin Encounter but I feel that is pointless at this time. I’m not sure of SeaWorld SD current state but dang such another loss after orcas being confirmed phase outs and now Emperors and Adelies? Such a bummer that it couldn’t be saved, and I apologize for this self centered post, I’m just a very passionate penguin fan who’s always been a fan of SD Penguin Encounter with its design and collection, I will miss it. Any how’s apoligies for this long post :oops:
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I agree with you that it sucks but on the bright side the emperors will still be viewable within the US and all the animals will find homes at other great facilities and continue to receive proper care. I also agree that this is a downgrade for the San Diego Park as a whole but they've made a seemingly nice jellyfish exhibit with an interesting species list and the refresh for shark encounter is something to look forward to.
 
zoocentral said:
While no official announcement has been made from the company, I think it is important that I share this information. From trusted sources, I have heard that the emperor penguins will be leaving the San Diego Park by the end of this month and moving to SeaWorld Orlando. Keepers from the Orlando Park have already visited San Diego to learn how to care for this unique species and are prepared for this transfer. Alongside the transfer of all the emperor penguins, a portion of the macaroni colony will be moving to Florida as well. The rest of the penguins and alcids in San Diego’s Penguin Encounter will be leaving the facility in November.

I am posting this here not to spread rumors or misinformation. Instead, I wanted to let local people know, as it is unlikely the company will announce this move in time. This may be your last chance to see emperor penguins on the West Coast. I also want to give those who may be planning a trip to SeaWorld San Diego a heads up of what to expect.
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I wonder where the adelies, chinstraps and rest will go. Fingers crossed for Detroit!
 
BlobfishBoy said:
I agree with you that it sucks but on the bright side the emperors will still be viewable within the US and all the animals will find homes at other great facilities and continue to receive proper care. I also agree that this is a downgrade for the San Diego Park as a whole but they've made a seemingly nice jellyfish exhibit with an interesting species list and the refresh for shark encounter is something to look forward to.
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Thank you very much, definitely agree with Shark Encounter. I do hope the Emperor breeding program continues.
 
I’m hoping the park plans for a state of the art Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) habitat after Penguin Encounter possible closure with perhaps Patagonian seabirds and fish. And due to their old age, I feel like the park will continue to house the current public Humboldt (Spheniscus humboldti) in the same area possibly to avoid confrontation from the younger Magellanics.
 
DavidBrown said:
Hmmm. Rumors are that they are headed for Abu Dhabi, so Florida might just be a pit stop...?
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It seems needlessly stressful on the animals to stop in Orlando for any time period if Abu Dhabi isn't ready to take them. It would be better to leave them in SD than stay over in Orlando and then move them all again. I am not saying that they are not going to Abu Dhabi, just that I don't see how Orlando fits into that plan if that is the case.
 
DavidBrown said:
Hmmm. Rumors are that they are headed for Abu Dhabi, so Florida might just be a pit stop...?
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I hope not, that would be the absolute worst case scenario and a horrible move on SeaWorld's part. The Emperor Penguins are the only ones in the entire Western hemisphere they should be proud of that, if they give them away to another place in Asia(not like Japan doesn't already have emperor penguins on display so it would be as special as they are considered here)it would likely mean the end of emperors in the US and West forever.
 
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