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In 2020, he was the first penguin to hatch at the Aquarium of Niagara in more than a decade. Now he’s leaving the nest. Smitty the Humboldt penguin is moving to the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium in Pennsylvania, where he will become its newest and most eligible bachelor − and hopefully produce offspring of his own. Humboldt penguins are vulnerable to extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. Accredited zoos and aquariums have been working together to protect vulnerable species and maintain diverse genetics among animals in captivity. In Pittsburgh, Smitty will join a new colony of 13 penguins that was established in July. He was chosen by a panel of experts that manage the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for Humboldt Penguins. “It’s been a real privilege to put together a colony of these charming and interesting birds, and Smitty will be a great addition to our colony,” said Dr. Chris Bonar, vice president of living collections at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. Smitty’s sister Jules, born at the same time, will remain behind. “Our colony is made up of individual penguins who bring different personalities that shape the colony dynamic, so anytime a bird leaves or joins the colony, the other birds will notice the change, but it is typically short-lived. Penguins do not hold the same ‘family’ dynamics that humans do,” said Chad Fifer, president and CEO of Aquarium of Niagara. The aquarium’s recent transformation − with plans for a new complex and the recent opening of the Great Lakes 360 building’s immersive, interactive exhibits − can be traced back to Smitty. His hatching in April 2020 was a sign of success that validated the aquarium’s reinvestment in animal well-being through the $3.5 million upgrade to the penguin exhibit and the subsequent accreditation by the AZA in 2018. That sparked a wave of investment, including the Aliens of the Sea Jellyfish exhibit, the Shark & Ray Bay Touch Pool, the addition of a Whirlpool Commons Welcome Plaza, a sea turtle exhibit and the opening of Great Lakes 360. Overall, the aquarium invested $12 million into capital improvements, allowing it to contribute to more conservation efforts. “His hatching was a turning point for our organization, and his departure is a powerful reminder of why this work matters,” Fifer said. “While we’ll miss him, we know his journey is part of something much bigger, and we’re proud of our role in his story.” Penguins like Smitty, who are native to the rocky coasts of Chile and Peru, face threats from unsustainable fishing practices, guano harvesting and climate disruptions. Accredited zoos and aquariums work together to preserve more than a thousand vulnerable and endangered species who are threatened in their native environment. The organizations support those vulnerable populations through breeding, research, public education and field conservation work. The aquarium will host a “So Long, Smitty” going away party from Oct. 3-6. The first 50 children in attendance each day will receive penguin-themed swag bags. The aquarium will play archival footage of Smitty through the years and have limited-time merchandise for sale. “Watching Smitty grow up here has been a joy for our staff and guests alike,” Fifer said.
