SeaWorld San Diego Penguin Encounter closing?

To add an idea for the receiving facility, since it’s being touted that the Emperor Penguins might not be visible for regular visitors. Is it possible that one of SWO’s behind-the scenes encounters will feature the emperors for those who are willing to pay in order to see them?

I know this is not the most ideal choice for most of us, but from my perspective, I could see it as a very certain possibility.
 
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Austin the Sengi said:
To add an idea for the receiving facility, since it’s being touted that the Emperor Penguins might not be visible for regular visitors. Is it possible that one of SWO’s behind-the scenes encounters will feature the emperors for those who are willing to pay in order to see them?

I know this is not the most ideal choice for most of us, but from my perspective, I could see it as a very certain possibility.
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A related question, what are their BTS facilities like for penguins, and would be for emperors in particular? Are they up to the task of keeping a flock in a sustainable manner? I have never been BTS at SeaWorld, but I always thought the show exhibit was done really well.
 
ZooApollo said:
Hello everyone. I have a slight update on the emperors, and an answer to a question many have been asking. The move has been pushed back 24 hours. Also, I did get confirmation that the emperors will be on display.
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Will any accommodations be made to the Orlando habitat to suit it better for them temperature wise? If not it does not sound like any further breeding will occur causing the end of this species in North American human care.
 
Jonathan Petersson said:
Will any accommodations be made to the Orlando habitat to suit it better for them temperature wise? If not it does not sound like any further breeding will occur causing the end of this species in North American human care.
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Not that I know of and knowing Hill Path Capital I doubt there will be, and temperature changes in Orlando's exhibit is almost impossible because its not separated by glass like San Diego. There are other issues too like lack of red lights and terrain (swo doesn't exactly have flat ground in the exhibit)
 
Jonathan Petersson said:
Will any accommodations be made to the Orlando habitat to suit it better for them temperature wise? If not it does not sound like any further breeding will occur causing the end of this species in North American human care.
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I’ve kind of wish that SW can acquire emperors from Asia facilities such as Chimelong Ocean Kingdom and Adventure World and have a specific program swapping individuals for a sizeable breeding population. However I think that there is some laws blocking zoo transfers between countries but I can be incorrect.
 
I’m thinking SW will move them into Abu Dhabi, as I doubt they’d keep such an unstable population behind the scenes for such an iconic species that can easily draw attention. The only way I think they can stay in the states is if they can be moved to a fully indoor exhibit without guests sharing the space.
 
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Abu Dhabi does not do the seasonal lighting change from what I have seen like the US parks do and I think is still too hot so don't know if that would be the best fit for them but at least better then Orlando.
 
USZOOfan42 said:
I’m thinking SW will move them into Abu Dhabi, as I doubt they’d keep such an unstable population behind the scenes for such an iconic species that can easily draw attention. The only way I think they can stay in the states is if they can be moved to a fully indoor exhibit without guests sharing the space.
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They won't move to Abu Dhabi.
 
Jonathan Petersson said:
Abu Dhabi does not do the seasonal lighting change from what I have seen like the US parks do and I think is still too hot so don't know if that would be the best fit for them but at least better then Orlando.
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ZooApollo said:
They won't move to Abu Dhabi.
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Wonder what will happen then. SWF won't put them on exhibit, so must stay a behind-the-scenes exclusive.
 
JJM's Wild Life said:
Here's a crazy idea, we currently have the Magellanic Penguins in the old Polar Bear/Harbor Seal habitat at Wild Arctic. What if they put the Emperor Penguins there?
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Didn’t think of that, is the exhibit enclosed like Penguin Encounter? Would be cool though might take renovations. However if they go with this, they should change the name to “Wild Polars/Poles” :p
 
peruvianbirdie said:
Didn’t think of that, is the exhibit enclosed like Penguin Encounter? Would be cool though might take renovations. However if they go with this, they should change the name to “Wild Polars/Poles” :p
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The space is enclosed; however, last I heard, SeaWorld Orlando was tapping that space as a walrus expansion. Given the size of the current walrus space and Uki's arrival, they'd need all the space they can get.
 
JJM's Wild Life said:
Here's a crazy idea, we currently have the Magellanic Penguins in the old Polar Bear/Harbor Seal habitat at Wild Arctic. What if they put the Emperor Penguins there?
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I was thinking about this the other day, but as @StoppableSan has mentioned, they were trying to expand the walrus exhibit a little bit ago, but after Expedition Odyssey opened I'm not sure if they're still planning on that. I think the land space itself is too crowded to house all of the penguins, but it would be more sense than Antarctica (exhibit theming aside). Another option would be to take out that odd end space in the Antarctic exhibit and close that off with glass for the emperors. But unfortunately it sounds like they're just going to be put in the Antarctica exhibit space
 
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