African Penguins Arrive as Part of the Largest Expansion in Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach’s 20-year History!
Myrtle Beach, SC (March 10, 2020) – Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach is excited to announce Ripley’s Penguin Playhouse is now open!
The 5,500-square-foot expansion is the largest in Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach’s 20-year history. The African penguin habitat has floor-to-ceiling viewing glass and a 360-degree crawl tunnel for guests to waddle through. This addition also includes a brand-new Ocean Wonders gallery housing fascinating species of fish from all over the world.
Sporting their black-and-white plumage, the African penguin is the only species of penguin found on the African continent, preferring warmer water temperatures unlike their Antarctic counterparts. Their unique black stripes and spots serve as their identification, similar to a human fingerprint.
The African penguin is one of the most endangered penguins in the world—numbers have declined by 60 percent in the last 28 years. Welcoming Ripley’s new colony in 2020 is just the beginning of the Aquarium’s conservation efforts, as an on-site penguin nursery will house and care for baby penguins, helping Ripley’s Aquarium foster a growing flock.
Ripley’s expansion features two new state-of-the-art classrooms for educational programs, school groups, and unique experiences that will allow guests to get up close and personal with these extraordinary birds.
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
Penguin Encounters – Interact—and even pet—Ripley’s most adorable creatures beak-to-beak while learning about this species from Aquarium staff experts.
Paint with the Penguins – Pal up with a penguin to create—and take home—a one-of-a-kind piece of footprint art!
“We are beyond excited to welcome African Black Footed penguins to Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach. This brand-new and completely immersive penguin habitat will not only captivate and entertain our guests but also provide an educational experience for our visitors. We know this new penguin addition will support our educational and conservation missions while offering family-friendly entertainment for visitors of all ages,” said Pablo Chavez, General Manager, Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach.
SAVAGE SEAS!
Tales of adventure, myth, and ruin, this temporary, pop-up exhibit is officially open just in time for guests to enjoy alongside the all-new Penguin Playhouse.
Savage Seas is an all-new exhibit, where guests learn life at sea isn’t for everyone! Find out what it takes to survive on the open waters when you explore this interactive exhibit.
Learn about daily pirate life, sea monsters from myth and lore, and the very true stories of shipwrecks filled with treasure and secrets of the past.
Ripley’s Aquarium is located at 110 Celebrity Circle at Broadway at the Beach and is open 365 days a year.
For media images and video, please click here.
###
MEDIA CONTACTS
Pablo Chavez
General Manager
Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach
Pchavez@ripleys.com
Office: 843-424-4590
Suzanne Smagala-Potts
Public Relations Manager
Ripley Entertainment
smagala@ripleys.com
Office: 407-345-8010 Cell: 727-439-0136
About Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach
Ripley’s Aquarium opened in Myrtle Beach in 1997 and boasts more than 14,000 fish on display as well as many interactive experiences. Guests can pet a stingray, bamboo shark, hold a horseshoe crab, and enjoy hourly dive shows. One featured exhibit is the 750,000-gallon Dangerous Reef, which has a 330-foot glidepath through an underwater tunnel, allowing guests to come face-to-face with sharks, giant sawfish, and Gabby the Green Sea Turtle.Ripley’s Aquariums are part of the Ripley Entertainment Inc. (www.ripleys.com) family of worldwide attractions, the global leader in location-based entertainment. More than 15 million people visit its 100-plus attractions in 11 countries each year. In addition to its three world-renowned aquariums and 31 Believe It or Not! Odditoriums, the Orlando, Florida-based company has publishing, licensing and broadcast divisions that oversee projects including the syndicated Believe It or Not! Television show, best-selling books and the popular syndicated cartoon strip, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, that still runs daily in countries around the world. Ripley Entertainment is a Jim Pattison Company, the second-largest privately held company in Canada. Learn more about Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach by visiting RipleyAquariums.com/MyrtleBeach and following them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
