Newport Aquarium to Enhance Penguin Exhibit Expanding Commitment to Critically Endangered African Penguins

Guests invited to say goodbye to the aquarium's cold-climate penguins this holiday season

NEWPORT, Ky. (Nov. 6, 2026) – Newport Aquarium announced today it will significantly expand its African penguin colony, deepening the aquarium's investment in a species that scientists list among the most endangered penguins in the world. The expansion will transform Penguin Palooza into an exhibit built specifically around the needs of African penguins and the conservation work that supports them.

African penguins are classified as critically endangered, and accredited zoos and aquariums play a central role in sustaining the population. The aquarium has cared for African penguins for years and the expansion moves that commitment from a small ambassador group to a full colony, giving Newport a far more meaningful role in the species' future. Millions of African Penguins once wandered the coasts of South Africa and Namibia, but today, fewer than 20,000 exist in the wild, just 1% of the original population.

To make the new exhibit possible, the cold-climate penguins currently living in Penguin Palooza will move to new homes over the coming months. Working with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP) Coordinators, Newport Aquarium’s animal care and veterinary teams have spent months coordinating each placement individually, evaluating the health, age, social relationships and specific needs of every bird to find the most appropriate home available.

Before the penguins begin their journeys, Newport Aquarium invites visitors to say goodbye. A three-day celebration of the cold-climate penguins will run Friday, Nov. 20 through Sunday, Nov. 22 and is included with general admission or membership.

Farewell weekend will include:

•        Extended animal care talks at the Penguin Palooza window throughout all three days

•        A guest memory wall where visitors can write and post their favorite penguin memories

•        An African penguin conservation station explaining the species' status and what Newport's expansion means

Guests who cannot attend the farewell weekend will still have opportunities to visit the cold-climate penguins throughout the holiday season before the transitions are complete.

"These penguins have been part of so many family visits over the years, and people are going to miss them," said Rebecca Foster, Vice President and Executive Director of Newport Aquarium. "That is exactly why we are giving the area a holiday season to come say goodbye. What comes next is a chance for our guests to help us protect one of the most endangered penguin species on the planet."

Design work on the new Penguin Palooza will be underway in the coming months. Newport Aquarium will share additional details about the exhibit, the growing African penguin colony and the conservation partnerships behind the project as those plans develop.

“Every decision in this transition has been driven by what is best for the individual birds and what is best for the species long term," said Chris Plante, Director of Zoological Operations at Newport Aquarium. "Expanding our African penguin colony strengthens our ability to support this species for generations to come, and it reflects Newport Aquarium’s commitment to conserving wildlife and wild places, both close to home and worldwide.”

For more information, visit newportaquarium.com or follow @newportaquarium on social media.

About Newport Aquarium

Newport Aquarium, founded in 1999, is located across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati at Newport on the Levee. It is home to a vast collection of aquatic species and unparalleled interactive experiences like a shark bridge, touch exhibits, and up-close animal encounters. As a proud fully accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for more than 22 years, Newport Aquarium is held to the highest standards in animal care and exhibition.

To plan a visit, go to www.newportaquairum.com.

About Herschend:

Newport Aquarium is part of Herschend’s family of brands. Herschend is the world’s largest family-held themed attractions company, with a portfolio of over 40 family entertainment brands across North America, including destinations, resorts, theme parks, water parks, immersive experiences, and content enjoyed by audiences worldwide.

For more information, visit www.Herschend.com.