On April 25, millions of people celebrated World Penguin Day. This special day happens every year. The date is important because Adelie penguins start moving north around this time. They leave Antarctica in April to find warmer water and more food. Zoos, aquariums, and conservation groups held special events, talks, and live shows online.
Families went to aquariums in cities like Seoul and Sydney. They watched penguins walk on rocks and swim in the water. Many zoos also showed live videos online so people could watch from home.
Experts say there are 18 species of penguins. Most live in the Southern Hemisphere. The emperor penguin is the biggest — about 1.1 meters tall. The little blue penguin is the smallest at only 33 centimeters. All penguins have black-and-white bodies, a funny walk, and swim very well.
Penguins cannot fly, but they are great swimmers. They use their wings like flippers to move through the water. Some penguins dive very deep to catch fish, squid, and small sea animals. Their feathers keep them warm in cold water.
Penguin colonies are noisy and busy. Emperor penguin fathers keep the egg on their feet for weeks during the cold winter. Mothers travel to the sea to find food during this time.
Conservation groups use this day to raise money and share information. Some penguins are in danger because of climate change, overfishing, and habitat loss. Warmer oceans push fish away from places where penguins feed. People can help by giving money, using less plastic, and choosing sustainable food.