The New England Aquarium Has Its Very Own Penguin Retirement Home

Turns out, it’s not just people thinking about retirement these days — some very adorable penguins in Boston are, too.

The New England Aquarium recently announced that it has expanded the enrichment program for its penguin colony, including the addition of a special “retirement community” for its oldest residents. 

Yep, the Aquarium has essentially created a penguin nursing home.

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If it’s been a while since you’ve visited this long-standing aquarium on Boston Harbor, you might be surprised to hear that more than half of their penguin colony has met or surpassed the typical lifespan of 10-15 years in the wild.

A Peaceful Island Just for Senior Penguins

All these aging African penguins needed a place to relax and enjoy some custom comforts. Now they can do just that on their own peaceful island, set apart from the bustling main colony. 

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The best part is, staff say that the setup makes it easier for caretakers to monitor their health and happiness while giving the birds a chance to live out their golden years in penguin paradise.

It also allows these senior penguins to stay active at their own pace, something even human senior centers and nursing homes look to achieve. Staying socially, mentally and physically active has been shown to help humans live longer lives, and these same ideas are being used with the penguins up in Boston.

Senior Penguin Love Story

A fantastic example is Lambert — a 33-year-old African penguin who has some sight limitations. Trainers created ramps and cushioned pathways to help him navigate the senior island safely, and thanks to the extra TLC, he’s now swimming more often with his much younger mate, Dyer. 

The Aquarium team says it’s all about giving every penguin a chance to thrive — whether it’s the “retirees” taking calm dips or the youngsters playing tug of war and checking themselves out in mirrors.

A Heartwarming Reason to Revisit the Aquarium

So next time you visit the New England Aquarium, keep an eye out for the world’s most adorable retirement community — where the residents may waddle a little slower, but they’re still living their best lives.