From the Saturday, Aug. 6, editions of The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Ill.) and The Times (Ottawa, Ill.) …
Just winging it at Shedd Aquarium
The WISCH LIST
Aug. 6, 2011
On any given day, Chicago is for the birds.
Walk along a downtown street and you’ll discover (and dodge) packs of pecking pigeons. Take in a game at Wrigley Field, and you’ll likely mingle with (or, perhaps, be outnumbered by) a flock of seagulls. Or head to any public park, and you can hear tweets all day long (no Twitter account necessary).
But of all the feathered friends – and occasional fiends (yes, pigeons, I mean you) – that you can find in Chicago, it’s considerably more difficult to come face-to-beak with, say, a penguin.
Or, at least, it used to be.
These days, however, thanks to the Shedd Aquarium’s unique “Penguin Encounter” experience, spending some time in the Windy City with the best dressed of all the birds is now easy.
And two weekends ago, that’s just what I did – along with my girlfriend, who’s something of a penguin enthusiast.
Turns out, she’s hardly the only one, as four other couples also waddled in to Shedd that day from as far away as Wisconsin and Ohio just for the unique opportunity to spend 30 minutes buddying up to one of the aquarium’s affable penguins.
The “Penguin Encounter” – which adds to Shedd’s “Extraordinary Experiences” lineup that also includes Behind-the-Scenes Tours, a chance to be a “Trainer for a Day” and the “Beluga Encounter” – is limited to 10 people at a time. And as we patiently waited to begin, not one of us really knew what to expect.
Neither did my Facebook friends, one of whom issued a warning about the “Penguin Encounter” beforehand, offering the message: “Beware of his umbrella. It’s a weapon.”
After strapping on my utility belt (not really), a pair of Shedd employees led our group into the bowels of the aquarium, where we did slip on rubber boots, just in case of an accident (penguins might wear tuxes, but they don’t wear diapers).
We then took seats in a designated alcove, as a Shedd staff member asked, “Does anyone know what kind of penguin you’ll be meeting today?”
“A black-and-white one,” replied one smart aleck (not me).
It was, of course. But to be more specific, we met a two-year-old female Magellanic Penguin, who was wheeled up inside a plastic-encased cart – the “Popemobile,” the trainer called it – and introduced to us as “401.”
Because Shedd has more than 30 penguins, the aquarium identifies the animals by numbers rather than names. But 401 didn’t seem to mind. Her species hails from coastal South America, stands about two feet tall and weighs between six and 14 pounds.
And doesn’t exactly eat like a bird.
We learned that Magellanic Penguins can devour between 60 to 80 fish a day when molting. And 401 gobbled about a dozen during just her 30 minutes with us.
As she happily waddled about the alcove, Shedd’s trainer answered questions and then held 401 as everyone got the opportunity to stroke the feathers on her back (surprisingly soft) and her wing (surprisingly rough). When our half-hour was up, 401 stood proudly on a box and mugged for photos, leaving each of us with a memento from an encounter that was, well, quite extraordinary.
Just try getting a pigeon to do that.
Offered year-round on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Shedd’s “Penguing Encounters” are currently offered daily through Sept. 5. Children must be at least 4 years old, and kids up to 11 must be accompanied by a paying guardian. One chaperone is required for each 4- to 6-year-old.
To book an encounter, call 312-692-3355. Prices are $59.95 for adults, $50.95 for children. More information is available at sheddaquarium.org/extraordinary.