Harlequin, the now 30-year-old African Penguin. Photo: Vanessa Kahn/New England Aquarium
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — An African Penguin at the New England Aquarium has reached the ripe old age of 30. Harlequin the penguin was hatched in 1992 at the New England Aquarium.
The aquarium says African Penguins have an average lifespan of 15 years in the wild, and Harlequin's advanced age makes her officially "geriatric."
Amanda Barr, the Aquarium’s senior penguin trainer said the bird is pretty well rounded. “Harlequin is bold, but not too bold, curious, but not too curious, can be handled, but doesn’t overly seek it out,” she said.
Old as 30 may seem, the female is only the 6th oldest penguin in the aquarium's care.
Harlequin apparently enjoys eating anchovies. She has been paired with her mate Durban since 2000 and the two have eight chicks together.
African Penguins are an endangered species: the aquarium says their natural habitat of South Africa and Namibia is threatened by overfishing, climate change and pollution.
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