Taipei:Visitors to the Taipei Zoo will have the opportunity to watch African penguins embark on a supervised walk outside their enclosure on November 19, weather permitting. The event aims to provide the penguins with more exercise and exploration space.
According to Focus Taiwan, the zoo announced that the African penguins in captivity face the risk of developing bumblefoot, a common foot ailment resulting from insufficient exercise and excess weight, which can apply sustained pressure on their feet. To mitigate these risks, the zoo has planned a 15-minute walk beginning at 930 a.m., contingent on temperatures remaining below 24 degrees Celsius.
During the event, zookeepers will guide the penguins along a designated visitor pathway, allowing the birds to explore at their own pace and interact with each other while visitors observe. This outing is intended as the first "Penguin Outing Day" of the year, with future events to be announced on the zoo's official website.
The African penguin is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with wild populations declining due to threats such as competition with commercial fisheries, marine pollution, habitat degradation, and human disturbances. The zoo emphasizes that the walk is primarily educational and focuses on the welfare of the penguins, allowing them to choose whether to participate.
Visitors are encouraged to maintain a quiet demeanor and avoid chasing, touching, or feeding the penguins. Additionally, they are asked not to cross designated boundaries to prevent causing stress to the birds.
