Penguin Waddle Presented by The Florida Aquarium

Wave 1:

• 4:30pm: Check-In Begins | TAMPA Sign at Sparkman Wharf
• 5:15pm: Waddle Start | TAMPA Sign at Sparkman Wharf

Wave 2:

• 5:30pm: Check-In Begins | TAMPA Sign at Sparkman Wharf
• 6:15pm: Waddle Start | TAMPA Sign at Sparkman Wharf

Penguin Waddle Block Party

• 5:30pm-7:30pm
• Outside The Florida Aquarium Main Entrance

Who We Are

The Florida Aquarium, a 501c (3) non-profit organization, is actively engaged in stewardship of the natural environment as a conservation-based attraction with mission programs that include conservation, research, education and outreach. With a keen focus on delivering world-class animal care to thousands of animals, The Florida Aquarium welcomes visitors to experience a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial animals with the goal of building awareness and inspiring action for species and habitat conservation. For edutainment, guests will also explore complex ecosystems, engage with interactive and informational exhibits and search for wild dolphins in Tampa Bay. More than a must-see attraction, The Florida Aquarium is working to protect and restore our blue planet through conservation efforts that included ground-breaking research and rescue efforts that help restore Florida’s coral and sea turtle populations.

Purpose
We are committed to saving marine wildlife.

Vision
To be Florida’s leading conservation-based aquarium.

The goal of Not On Our Watch, #NOOW, is to create a movement and raise awareness about the need for urgent action to reverse the decline of the African penguin population in the wild. Through this campaign, we will call for support to ensure that wise decisions concerning the future of the African penguin are made by the relevant authorities. We will create a movement to build pride in African penguins as part of South Africa’s unique biodiversity, and assist colony managers by ensuring that visitors to colonies behave in a way that supports penguin wellbeing.

Penguins play an important role in the functioning of marine ecosystems. They transfer nutrients from the sea to their colonies on land, which then provide nutrients to adjacent terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Penguins help to keep fish populations healthy by selecting fish that are small and/or in poor body condition.They also herd shoals of fish to the surface. This makes the fish easier for other seabirds, such as gannets to catch.

The possible extinction of African penguins will not only lead to the loss of a charismatic species but will also have far-reaching economic impacts through job losses for tourism and conservation. Areas like Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town and Stony Point in Betty’s Bay on the Cape coast will lose this iconic species that attracts many people to visit these areas, and Africa will lose the only endemic penguin species on the continent. The African penguin colonies at Boulders Beach (Managed by the City of Cape Town) and Betty’s Bay (Stony Point) (Managed by Cape Nature) are an important drawcard for eco-tourism in South Africa.