Penguin Awareness Day—yes, it’s a thing—takes place on January 20, and the Johnny Morris Conservation Foundation wants to celebrate the world’s most beloved flightless bird.
Tucked away in the Ozarks, far from the South Pole, the Foundation’s Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium invites visitors to come face to face with the birds in a unique way. At Penguin Cove, the Penguin Encounter brings visitors face-to-beak with gentoo penguins, immersing in their habitat—safely and respectfully, with no petting or feeding.
Penguin Encounter is a fantastic way for children to learn about the Antarctic birds without having to travel to the planet’s southernmost point. The Johnny Morris Conservation Foundation focuses on educating and raising awareness for environmental and wildlife issues, creating accessible experiences within Missouri’s Ozarks.
As climate change affects populations, penguins are the second most threatened bird species in the world. The Penguin Encounter affords a prime way to engage in these conversations, to help young travelers understand more about the world. And in the Ozarks, no less!
Right now, 18 sea turtles rescued from the Eastern seaboard are being cared for and rehabilitated for a spring release at the Wonders of Wildlife. Who knew that a land locked state, such as Missouri, had so much to offer marine life?
