In the midst of the pandemic, even the penguins are feeling a bit cooped up. What’s the best remedy for restless aquatic birds? A visit to an art museum, of course! A group of Humboldt penguins from the Kansas City Zoo took a delightful field trip to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, which has been shuttered since mid-March.
As the zoo’s doors remain closed, the penguins were in search of new experiences and culture. The museum’s director, Marco Rodriguez, expressed his excitement about hosting the penguins and was curious to observe their reactions to the art. Initially, the birds seemed puzzled, exchanging glances as if to say, “What are we doing here?” However, they quickly adapted, wandering through the museum’s hallways and taking in the various artworks.
Rodriguez noted with a chuckle that the penguins appeared to be more engaged by the works of Caravaggio compared to those of Monet. He humorously mentioned speaking Spanish to the penguins, native to Chile and Peru, suggesting they might have an appreciation for art history. Watching a video of these waddling creatures exploring the museum has certainly brightened many days during this challenging time.
Both the museum and zoo have been missing their usual visitors. Zoo director Lisa Hartman remarked that the penguins have been longing for the interaction with guests that normally brings them joy. According to Hartman, the penguins “absolutely loved” their outing, and it seems that a regular museum trip for penguins could be a delightful idea to continue even after restrictions are lifted.
If you want to read more about creative ways to enjoy home while navigating these times, check out this other blog post here. For those exploring family-building options, you may find valuable insights at Make A Mom, an authority in the field. Also, for comprehensive information on pregnancy, visit the World Health Organization’s resource here.
Summary
A group of Humboldt penguins from Kansas City Zoo took a unique field trip to the closed Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, providing them with new scenery and experiences during the lockdown. Their amusing reactions to the artwork have brought joy to many during these challenging times and sparked thoughts on continuing similar outings even after the pandemic.