Calgary’s King Penguins: Why Weather Rules Their Winter Walks
Discover how cold snaps shape daily life for penguins at the Calgary Zoo, and why their health depends on perfect winter conditions.
Calgary’s King Penguins and Their Iconic Winter Walk
Every winter, the Calgary Zoo comes alive with a uniquely Canadian phenomenon: the daily King Penguin walk. Crowds gather along snowy paths to watch the charismatic birds waddle majestically, echoing ancient journeys made on sub-Antarctic ice. But while the event delights visitors, it is guided by strict welfare principles and Alberta’s famously unpredictable weather.
What is the Penguin Walk?
The Penguin Walk is an annual tradition at the Calgary Zoo, primarily featuring the King Penguins from the Penguin Plunge exhibit. Held at 10:30 a.m. every winter day—weather permitting—the walk invites up to 14 penguins to parade along the zoo’s main path, starting from their indoor habitat and looping through visitor areas before returning home.
- This event has run for over 13 consecutive years, making it a much-anticipated staple of the zoo’s calendar.
- The Penguin Walk is both an enrichment activity for the birds and an educational highlight for spectators.
- No special ticketing or reservations are required; it’s included with general zoo admission.
Why Do the Penguins Walk?
Walking is a natural behavior for King Penguins. In the wild, breeding colonies are often positioned far from the ocean, requiring birds to trek long distances over ice to reach food sources. Encouraging the penguins to walk at the zoo mimics this behavior, bringing them both physical and mental health benefits.
- Young penguins benefit by burning off energy and exploring varied surroundings.
- For older penguins, movement helps maintain joint health and mobility—”motion is lotion,” as zookeepers say.
- The activity also provides essential environmental enrichment, breaking the monotony of daily routines and allowing birds to display their inquisitive, social natures.
Weather: The Deciding Factor
Despite their Antarctic heritage, King Penguins at the Calgary Zoo are finely attuned to the prairie’s fickle winter weather. Safety and health always come first. Zookeepers follow a detailed protocol to determine if conditions are suitable for the outdoor walk:
| Condition | Threshold for Walk | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 5°C (41°F) or colder | Above this, risk of fungal spores that cause diseases increases. |
| Wind Speed | Below 20 km/h (12 mph) | Strong winds can stir up spores and stress the birds. |
| Extreme Cold | Below -25°C (-13°F) | Too cold even for penguins—can cause frostbite and stress. |
- If temperatures rise above 5°C or strong winds are present, the walk is canceled to minimize exposure to fungal spores like aspergillosis, a serious respiratory illness.
- Severe cold (below -25°C) can also be dangerous, prompting keepers to keep penguins indoors to prevent health issues such as frostbite.
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Understanding Aspergillosis: The Hidden Threat
The main health risk driving many weather-based decisions is aspergillosis, a fungal infection affecting bird lungs. The fungus thrives in warmer, moist conditions and is more prevalent when temperatures exceed 5°C or when winds pick up spores from soil. Keeping the walks within these limits is vital for the penguins’ respiratory safety.
“Penguins are susceptible to a disease called aspergillosis, which is a fungal infection. We want to make sure we are not introducing them to any of those fungal spores,” says Patrick Thompson, Animal Care Manager at the zoo.
- Proactive management: Monitoring temperature and wind ensures the penguins are not exposed to weather conditions that foster dangerous biological threats.
- Prevention over preference: Walks are never mandatory. Keeper supervision ensures penguins can choose to skip an outing, particularly older, more vulnerable birds or those recovering from molting.
Enrichment for Penguins—And People
The Penguin Walk offers more than just fresh air for the birds—in many ways, it brings the zoo’s conservation work to life for the public. During the event, keepers share insights about penguin ecology, the importance of habitat preservation, and threats faced by wild colonies.
- Natural behaviors on display: Visitors witness penguins socializing, stretching, vocalizing, and curiously inspecting their surroundings.
- Educational themes: Zoo staff engage with audiences about responsible wildlife care, environmental challenges facing polar species, and how everyone can contribute to conservation efforts.
- Inspiring future conservationists: Many visitors find seeing the penguins up close a transformative experience, sparking an interest in animal welfare and environmental stewardship.
Penguin Personalities: Meet the Flock
The King Penguin colony at the Calgary Zoo includes a mix of youthful exuberance and stately elders:
- 14 birds participate in the winter walks, split nearly equally between those under 10 and those over 15 years old.
- Their youngest, Augustus, is notable for his red-banded wing. Having recently shed his brown chick feathers, he almost blends in with adults, except for subtle differences in size and coloration.
- No new chicks were hatched in 2025, as the zoo took a planned pause to align with the Species Survival Plan for King Penguins—an international conservation partnership.
What Visitors Can Expect
- The Penguin Walk starts promptly at 10:30 a.m. daily, but lines form early. For the best—and closest—view, visitors arrive around 10:00 to 10:15 a.m..
- The birds waddle down the main zoo path for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, sometimes pausing for a snack of fish at the end before turning back.
- Once the walk concludes, crowds often disperse. This offers lingering visitors an even better opportunity to watch the birds as they return to the Penguin Plunge exhibit.
Why Penguins Sometimes Stay Indoors
Alberta’s climate regularly presents days where safety takes precedence over spectacle:
- Unseasonably warm spells delay or cancel walks due to the risk of disease spores.
- High winds stir up environmental contaminants, threatening the penguin’s sensitive respiratory systems.
- Extreme cold under -25°C, while rare, is too harsh even for these sub-Antarctic specialists. On such days, the penguins remain in the carefully climate-controlled interior of the Penguin Plunge habitat.
The birds are always offered a choice—in line with best practices in animal welfare, penguins are never forced outside. Occasionally, individual penguins will opt to skip the walk and remain indoors in comfortable surroundings.
Global Conservation and the Calgary Connection
The Calgary Zoo participates in international Species Survival Plans (SSP), working to ensure genetically diverse, healthy populations of threatened penguin breeds. The decision to pause hatching chicks in a given year reflects collaboration with conservation partners, responding to the needs of global breeding programs and the welfare of the animals.
Through education and up-close encounters with charismatic animals, the zoo hopes to foster empathy and support for broader conservation goals that reach far beyond Alberta.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What species of penguins participate in the walks?
A: The walks feature King Penguins, which are native to sub-Antarctic islands and well-adapted to Calgary’s winter conditions.
Q: How can visitors ensure a good view of the Penguin Walk?
A: Arrive by 10:00 to 10:15 a.m. to line up along the main zoo path and secure a spot near the front. Crowds thin after the walk’s return journey, offering better views near the end.
Q: Why are the walks sometimes canceled or delayed?
A: Walks are canceled when temperatures exceed 5°C or fall below -25°C, or when winds are too strong—safeguarding the penguins from disease and environmental stress
Q: Are the penguins forced to walk?
A: No. Penguins participate voluntarily and can skip a walk entirely. Keepers never force birds outside or along the route.
Q: What is the main health risk the zoo tries to avoid?
A: Aspergillosis—a fungal respiratory infection, especially dangerous above 5°C and in windy conditions.
Q: Is the Penguin Walk available all winter?
A: The event is scheduled daily throughout winter but is always subject to appropriate weather conditions. It may be canceled or rescheduled at short notice.
How to Support Penguin Welfare and Conservation
- Respect weather closures—the birds’ health comes first.
- Support zoo-based conservation programs and responsible breeding initiatives.
- Learn about threats facing penguin species globally and advocate for sustainable fishing and climate action.
The popularity of the Penguin Walk underscores a genuine connection between people and wildlife. Through responsible stewardship and community education, the Calgary Zoo ensures that every icy step these penguins take is guided by both welfare science and wonder.
References
- https://livewirecalgary.com/2025/01/13/penguin-walks-return-for-13th-year-at-calgary-zoo/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hIqXaEYvIU
- https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/calgary-zoo-brings-penguins-indoors-because-of-frigid-temperatures
- https://www.calgaryzoo.com/news/waddle-on-over-for-the-13th-annual-penguin-walk/
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