Penguins are popular zoo exhibits but have specific welfare needs including cold temperatures, swimming space, and large social groups that are challenging to provide.
Penguins in zoos face welfare challenges from temperature management, pool size, and social group composition. Inadequate swimming space prevents the extended underwater swimming behaviors that penguins perform hundreds of times daily in the wild. Small social groups create dominance hierarchies that may cause chronic stress for lower-ranking individuals. Well-designed penguin exhibits with large pools, appropriate temperatures, and big social groups demonstrate that good penguin welfare is achievable in captivity.