Mississippi Aquarium will be kicking off Penguin Awareness Weekend with plenty of opportunities to interact with the endangered species and learn more about them.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Gulfport facility will have a plethora of activities and special offerings to highlight penguins and conservation. The animal care crew at the aquarium will also be on-site to inform folks how they can help protect penguins.
Currently, Mississippi Aquarium is in the process of building a habitat for 11 African penguins. In the meantime, folks will get a taste of what is to come.
Here’s what will be happening:
Penguin Meet and Greet
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Changing Tides exhibit
Attendees can meet a live African penguin and learn more about the feathered friend.
Penguin Puzzle
Who’s your Mama?
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Aquatic Wonders building — Shark Room
This is an interactive exhibit where guests will work to match the baby penguin to its parent.
Where in the World?
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Aquatic Wonders building — Shark Room
Guests will have the chance to identify each penguin’s natural habitat — whether the penguin lives in cold weather or on beaches.
Special Menu Items
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Pelican Pointe Cafe
The cafe will feature penguin-themed items. Folks are encouraged to tune into Mississippi Aquarium’s social media pages for further information.
Penguin-themed gift shop items
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | The Gulf Shop
Guests can take home a penguin plushie, penguin hat, or a one-of-a-kind painting created by one of the aquarium’s penguins during an enrichment session.
Tickets
Passes are available at the box office, but Mississippi Aquarium encourages prospective visitors to buy tickets in advance online for the best possible prices.
