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The Impact of Penguins on Aquariums

Movies like "Happy Feet" and "March of the Penguins" have garnered increased attention for the waddling birds, who most commonly inhabit the southern coasts of Africa, South America and the continent of Antarctica. Most United States aquariums agree that offering a penguin exhibit has been a positive experience, on several fronts, for the facility.

Revenue, Visitation and Membership
- The South Carolina Aquarium is in Charleston Harbor.
  
  In part, due to young, devoted cinema fans, penguin exhibits lead to increased visitation, revenue and membership at aquariums in both the United States and worldwide. According to The Post and Courier, the South Carolina Aquarium credited its increased memberships, up more than 30 percent in 2009, to the newly opened penguin exhibit. Aquarium president Kevin Mills called 2009 "the year of the penguin."
Website Traffic and Remote Interest
- Users can watch penguins from their laptops.
  
  A few United States aquariums have found a way to pique the interest of remote penguin fans, while at the same time bolstering popularity for the aquarium. The New England Aquarium has an option in its phone menu to "listen to the penguins" live in the exhibit. The Monterey Aquarium in Monterey, Calif., allows Web visitors to watch a live feed penguin camera.
Aquarium Image and Conservation Efforts
- Proceeds from fundraisers can also go to penguins in the wild.
  
  Environmental conservation and wildlife protection are popular fundraising issues. Aquariums with penguins, like the Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Conn., are able to host successful fundraisers to fund their penguin exhibits and more, all in the interest of conservation. Last yea,r Fox Woods Casino held a Penguin Party to benefit Mystic Aquarium's African Penguin Exhibit. Protecting endangered species also boosts the image of the aquarium to the public.
Cost Implications
- Penguins make most involved in aquarium upkeep "happy" too.
  
  The only downside of a penguin exhibit can be the cost to get the exhibit started. Special trainers and keepers must be hired who know how to work with the birds. The penguin area must be cleaned quite regularly due to the strong odor of penguin fecal matter. Expansion costs for an aquarium can prove to be a burden. However, multiple aquariums, including South Carolina, New England and Monterey, have all raved about the return on investment from taking the initial financial hit to include a penguin exhibit.

Animals & Science