Emperor Penguins Make Historic Debut at SeaWorld Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. — SeaWorld Orlando has welcomed 16 emperor penguins, making the park the only place in the Western Hemisphere where visitors can see this majestic species. The emperors arrived from SeaWorld San Diego, a leader in emperor penguin care and breeding since the early 1980s.

Emperor penguins, the largest of all penguin species, are adapted to the frigid climate of Antarctica. They can dive deeper than any other bird species, showcasing their unique ability to thrive in extreme conditions. SeaWorld Orlando has specially upgraded its Antarctica Realm to create an ideal habitat for the new arrivals, maintaining temperatures at a chilly 28 degrees Fahrenheit.

“On a really hot day, to be in here for 5-10 minutes feels so good,” said SeaWorld Orlando President Jon Peterson during a recent backstage visit. The park is eager to provide guests with a chance to witness the penguins’ remarkable characteristics, including the way male emperors incubate a single egg atop their feet, losing up to 45% of their body weight during this period.

SeaWorld Orlando’s addition of emperor penguins aims not only to entertain but also to educate the public on the challenges faced by these magnificent birds in their natural habitat. Each visit to the park will now highlight the importance of conservation efforts to protect this species and others like it.