Malott Family Penguin Encounter

Animal Welfare

Choice is important for animal welfare. During Penguin Encounters, zoo staff will invite the animals to approach your group, but each penguin decides whether to enter the space and how long to stay in the encounter area.

By monitoring the behavior and movement of each penguin—before, during, and after each encounter—zoo scientists can determine how the program impacts individual welfare. So far, these experiences have had a neutral or positive impact on the colony.

LEARN ABOUT WELFARE

Information

Schedule

Penguin Encounters last 60 minutes—approximately 15 minutes outside the habitat, 20 minutes in a behind-the-scenes area, and 20 minutes inside the habitat with the penguins.

Interacting with the Penguins

Participants cannot touch or feed the penguins, but the penguins may choose to approach participants. Participants must keep their hands on their lap at all times while in the habitat.

Weather

Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove is an outdoor exhibit, so participants should dress for the weather. The program will take place rain or shine, except when weather conditions pose a threat to either guests or the penguins. In the event of cancellation, participants will be contacted via email.

Shoes

Participants must wear closed-toe shoes. Participants are required to wear shoe covers and protective gaiters to enter the habitat. These will be provided by the zoo, but they can only be worn with closed-toe shoes. All shoe covers and gaiters worn by participants are disinfected between programs.

Groups

Each Penguin Encounter is limited to eight participants. If there are fewer than eight people in your group, you may be joined by other participants. All participants must be at least 6 years old. Any participants between the ages of 6 and 17 must be accompanied by an adult, with at least one adult for every four participants under the age of 18.

Photographs

Small cameras and phones are allowed in the habitat, but large cameras, tablets, selfie sticks, and similar devices are prohibited. Participants must turn off their flash and remain seated while taking pictures, and staff may ask that participants stop taking photos at any time.

Risk Acknowledgement

Lincoln Park Zoo is committed to providing a safe environment during each Penguin Encounter. While the zoo does its best to minimize the potential for injury, we cannot completely eliminate all risks. Examples of risks include, but are not limited to, the following: wet floors, objects moved or thrown by animals, allergic reactions to animals or to substances used at the zoo, and animal bites and scratches.

Health Considerations

Lincoln Park Zoo respectfully requires—for the safety of the animals in our care—that if you or anyone in your group feels unwell prior to arriving for a Penguin Encounter, or shows any signs of infectious illness (sore throat, new cough, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, severe headache, or a fever at or above 100.4 degrees), please do not attend the program.

Late Arrival

Guests who arrive more than 10 minutes late cannot participate in the program. Refunds will not be given.

Refund Policy

Penguin Encounter registration is nonrefundable. If Lincoln Park Zoo must cancel a Penguin Encounter, a refund or chance to reschedule will be issued to the registrants. During the program, participants are guaranteed to enter the habitat. No refunds will be given if participants enter the habitat but the penguins choose not to enter the program area.

Questions?

To learn more about Malott Family Penguin Encounters, please email animalencounter@lpzoo.org.