SeaWorld San Diego provides penguins for LA Zoo's first Magellanic exhibit since 1984

The Los Angeles Zoo has welcomed six Magellanic penguins to its Rainforest of the Americas exhibit, marking the first time the species has been featured there since 1984, dailynews.com and dailybulletin.com reported.

Of the six penguins, four were transferred from SeaWorld San Diego, while two came from the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, according to both sources.

The medium-sized Magellanic penguins are known for their distinctive black and white plumage with two black bands across a white chest. Unlike some penguin species, they do not live on ice but are skilled swimmers that forage for small fish such as anchovies and sardines.

The LA Zoo's animal care team prepared the habitat to meet the penguins' social and ecological needs, aiming to provide guests with an engaging way to connect with South American wildlife, the zoo's officials said.

Wild populations of Magellanic penguins are declining due to environmental threats and human conflict, making the exhibit an opportunity to raise awareness about the species' conservation.