SeaWorld’s penguin marks milestone 40th birthday

Best Friend, a male macaroni penguin at SeaWorld San Diego, recently celebrated his 40th birthday, a rare milestone for his species. Typically, macaroni penguins only live up to 15 years in the wild and 30 years in captivity, making Best Friend an exceptional case. The care provided by SeaWorld’s staff is credited for allowing him to reach such an advanced age. Best Friend serves as an ambassador for his species, promoting conservation efforts and educating the public about penguins. While he is currently the oldest penguin at SeaWorld, he is not the record holder, as an emperor penguin at the park lived to be 49 years old. Best Friend’s longevity is a testament to the quality of care provided at SeaWorld and highlights the importance of conservation efforts for endangered species like penguins. His birthday celebration was a moment of joy for his caretakers and a reminder of the positive impact that animal ambassadors can have on raising awareness about the need for wildlife preservation.

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