They have been living under strict confinement measures for months, but soon the second shot of a life-saving vaccine will let them go outside and get back to their normal lives.

While it sounds like a familiar story, in this case their normal lives involve sliding about on their bellies, frolicking in icy water and catching fish in their mouths.

Twenty-nine gentoo penguins at Norway's Bergen Aquarium have had a tarp stretched over their pen since early December after cases of a highly infectious bird flu strain, H5N8, were detected in the country.

"Because of this, the Food Health Authority introduced a curfew: all birds in captivity must be kept under a roof," aquarium director Aslak Sverdrup told AFP on Thursday.&nbsp;

But the end is in sight, with the arrival of bird flu vaccine doses.

The oldest and most fragile had their first shot on Wednesday, followed by the younger penguins on Thursday, the aquarium said.

Among the freshly immunised is "Erna", named for Prime Minister Erna Solberg who once had a summer job at the aquarium, a tourist attraction in the western city where she was born.

Once the second vaccine dose has been administered in a month's time, the birds will be able to see the sky again.

"The fact that penguins are being vaccinated now is pure coincidence, totally independent of the coronavirus, but it shows that vaccines are important, even more so today," Sverdrup said.

In the wild, gentoo penguins live on the other side of the Earth, in Antarctica.

None at the Bergen Aquarium caught the flu, and while the disease can be devastating for birds, transmission to humans is rare.

They have been living under strict confinement measures for months, but soon the second shot of a life-saving vaccine will let them go outside and get back to their normal lives.

They have been living under strict confinement measures for months, but soon the second shot of a life-saving vaccine will let them go outside and get back to their normal lives. While it sounds like a familiar story, in this case their normal lives involve sliding about on their bellies, frolicking in icy water and catching fish in their mouths. Twenty-nine gentoo penguins at Norway's Bergen Aquarium have had a tarp stretched over their pen since early December after cases of a highly infectious bird flu strain, H5N8, were detected in the country. "Because of this, the Food Health Authority introduced a curfew: all birds in captivity must be kept under a roof," aquarium director Aslak Sverdrup told AFP on Thursday. But the end is in sight, with the arrival of bird flu vaccine doses. The oldest and most fragile had their first shot on Wednesday, followed by the younger penguins on Thursday, the aquarium said. Among the freshly immunised is "Erna", named for Prime Minister Erna Solberg who once had a summer job at the aquarium, a tourist attraction in the western city where she was born. Once the second vaccine dose has been administered in a month's time, the birds will be able to see the sky again. "The fact that penguins are being vaccinated now is pure coincidence, totally independent of the coronavirus, but it shows that vaccines are important, even more so today," Sverdrup said. In the wild, gentoo penguins live on the other side of the Earth, in Antarctica. None at the Bergen Aquarium caught the flu, and while the disease can be devastating for birds, transmission to humans is rare.

Norway penguins get vaccinated, isolation nearly over

The population of African penguins is dwindling across the continent, and researchers have now come up with a new plan to counter this decline.

As part of their efforts, researchers in South Africa are planning to release plenty of African penguin chicks which were abandoned. They will release the chicks into Wester Cape’s De Hoop natural reserve, as reported by Reuters.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/climate-crisis-satellites-spots-throng-of-emperor-penguins-from-space-318286" hreflang="en">Climate crisis: Satellites spots throng of Emperor penguins from space</a>

Currently, the birds face the risk of extinction, and this move could boost efforts to kick-start the creation of a colony.

This is the only penguin who breeds in Africa, and was at one point South Africa’s most widespread seabird.

<h6><img alt="Group of endangered African penguins walk across Seaforth Beach, near Cape Town, South Africa, November 3, 2020" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b16fdd5e-3481-425a-9e2f-f71a568ac626" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_160.jpg" />Group of endangered African penguins walk across Seaforth Beach, near Cape Town, South Africa, November 3, 2020 | Reuters</h6>

In the 1920s, more than 1 million pairs of the penguin were living in Africa. But now, the population has plunged to 13,000 pairs, as recorded in 2019.

This decline may be attributed to the harvesting of eggs by humans, as per government data.

Since 2019, researchers have deployed dummy penguins that imitate the call pf the birds. This will help invite penguins in to the De Hoop, which is located 230 kilometres southeast of Cape Town.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/edge/video-these-penguins-are-only-found-in-africa-8240" hreflang="en">Video: These penguins are only found in Africa</a>

After this didn’t yield expected results, the researchers are expected to release 50 young birds starting in early 2021. At least 50 birds will be released each year.

In South Africa and Namibia, the decline in penguin populations has been attributed to minimised fish stocks, and climate change.

The population of African penguins is dwindling across the continent, and researchers have now come up with a new plan to counter this decline. As part of their efforts, researchers in South Africa are planning to release plenty of African penguin chicks which were abandoned.

The population of African penguins is dwindling across the continent, and researchers have now come up with a new plan to counter this decline. As part of their efforts, researchers in South Africa are planning to release plenty of African penguin chicks which were abandoned. They will release the chicks into Wester Cape’s De Hoop natural reserve, as reported by Reuters. Also read: Climate crisis: Satellites spots throng of Emperor penguins from space Currently, the birds face the risk of extinction, and this move could boost efforts to kick-start the creation of a colony. This is the only penguin who breeds in Africa, and was at one point South Africa’s most widespread seabird. Group of endangered African penguins walk across Seaforth Beach, near Cape Town, South Africa, November 3, 2020 | Reuters In the 1920s, more than 1 million pairs of the penguin were living in Africa. But now, the population has plunged to 13,000 pairs, as recorded in 2019. This decline may be attributed to the harvesting of eggs by humans, as per government data. Since 2019, researchers have deployed dummy penguins that imitate the call pf the birds. This will help invite penguins in to the De Hoop, which is located 230 kilometres southeast of Cape Town. Also read: Video: These penguins are only found in Africa After this didn’t yield expected results, the researchers are expected to release 50 young birds starting in early 2021. At least 50 birds will be released each year. In South Africa and Namibia, the decline in penguin populations has been attributed to minimised fish stocks, and climate change.

Researchers plan new colony as African penguins face extinction risk

Some extremely cute additions have arrived at Lima's Parque de Leyendas zoo after the recent hatching of two penguin chicks and the birth of a baby alpaca.

Penguin chicks and a baby alpaca the newest additions to Peru zoo

An aquarium near Tokyo has come up with an interesting way to keep animal-lovers entertained during the coronavirus pandemic.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fauci-among-3-key-us-members-of-white-house-response-team-in-self-quarantine-after-covid-exposure-297726" hreflang="en">Fauci among 3 key US members of White House response team in self-quarantine after COVID exposure</a>

The penguins at this aquarium have been introduced to seals for the first time in what is being called an inter-species meetup.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/obama-describes-trump-handling-of-virus-as-chaotic-in-a-leaked-call-297714" hreflang="en">Obama describes Trump handling of virus as chaotic in a leaked call</a>

&nbsp;The aquarium staff have been recording such inter-species interactions and uploading the clips on social media.

The idea is to keep the public entertained, even though the aquarium is closed.

Not just the penguins. Even otters were part of the inter-species meetup.

The aquarium staff introduced an otter to a Beluga whale - giving us this heart-warming interaction on your screens right now.

An aquarium near Tokyo has come up with an interesting way to keep animal-lovers entertained during the coronavirus pandemic. Also read: Fauci among 3 key US members of White House response team in self-quarantine after COVID exposure The penguins at this aquarium have been introduced to seals for the first time in what is being called an inter-species meetup.

An aquarium near Tokyo has come up with an interesting way to keep animal-lovers entertained during the coronavirus pandemic. Also read: Fauci among 3 key US members of White House response team in self-quarantine after COVID exposure The penguins at this aquarium have been introduced to seals for the first time in what is being called an inter-species meetup. Also read: Obama describes Trump handling of virus as chaotic in a leaked call The aquarium staff have been recording such inter-species interactions and uploading the clips on social media. The idea is to keep the public entertained, even though the aquarium is closed. Not just the penguins. Even otters were part of the inter-species meetup. The aquarium staff introduced an otter to a Beluga whale - giving us this heart-warming interaction on your screens right now.

Aquarium in Tokyo finds innovative way to keep animal-lovers entertained amid coronavirus pandemic

Staff at Sewerby Hall and Gardens Zoo helped Humboldt penguin Rosie celebrate her 30th birthday in lockdown on Monday (April 20).

Rosie the Humboldt penguin celebrates 30th birthday

While Chicago's Shedd Aquarium is closed to the public due to coronavirus quarantine, animal care staff and veterinarians are onsite 24/7.

Penguins' field trip at Chicago Aquarium

Researchers in Argentina have announced the discovery of fossilized skin of a 43-million-year-old penguin on Marambio Island in the Antarctic.

The fossilized skin which was a part of the penguin's wing belongs to the Palaeeudyptes gunnari, one of the many extinct types of penguins that lived in Antarctica during the Eocene period, which lasted from around 56 to 34 million years ago.

<img alt="Penguin" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="410bf107-ce96-4070-90ec-bb5386bf2e45" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1PV8RA.jpg" /> 
(In photo: Fossil from which remains were extracted)

At that time, Antarctica was covered in woodland and boasted a diverse fauna.

Watch: Polish zoo shows off unique albino penguin

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/polish-zoo-shows-off-unique-albino-penguin-205788/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

After it's discovery, the fossil was studied at the La Plata Museum by Argentine palaeontologist Carolina Acosta Hospitaleche, the agency for scientific disclosure at La Matanza National University said on Friday.

According to Acosta Hospitaleche, "the fossilization of the skin of this wing is unique because it's the first conserved example in the world of a penguin with skin".

"The skin was conserved as a fossil on both surfaces of its wing, enveloping the bones that have remained articulated in their original position," she added.

Researchers in Argentina have announced the discovery of fossilized skin of a 43-million-year-old penguin on Marambio Island in the Antarctic. The fossilized skin which was a part of the penguin's wing belongs to the Palaeeudyptes gunnari, one of the many extinct types of penguins that lived in Antarctica during the Eocene period, which lasted from around 56 to 34 million years ago.

Researchers in Argentina have announced the discovery of fossilized skin of a 43-million-year-old penguin on Marambio Island in the Antarctic. The fossilized skin which was a part of the penguin's wing belongs to the Palaeeudyptes gunnari, one of the many extinct types of penguins that lived in Antarctica during the Eocene period, which lasted from around 56 to 34 million years ago. (In photo: Fossil from which remains were extracted) At that time, Antarctica was covered in woodland and boasted a diverse fauna. Watch: Polish zoo shows off unique albino penguin After it's discovery, the fossil was studied at the La Plata Museum by Argentine palaeontologist Carolina Acosta Hospitaleche, the agency for scientific disclosure at La Matanza National University said on Friday. According to Acosta Hospitaleche, "the fossilization of the skin of this wing is unique because it's the first conserved example in the world of a penguin with skin". "The skin was conserved as a fossil on both surfaces of its wing, enveloping the bones that have remained articulated in their original position," she added.

Fossilized skin of 43-million-year-old penguin found in Argentina

Antarctic penguin colonies have declined by 77 percent in 50 years. Experts claim this is largely a result of climate change. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how climate change is killing the chinstrap penguins of Antarctica.

Gravitas: Antarctic penguins are dying

Chinstrap penguins in peril: Colonies in Western Antarctic decline as global warming worsens

In Harbin, five penguins were out on Tuesday (January 7) to show people how to walk properly on a snowy day.

Penguins in Harbin show you how to walk on snow

Bullfrogs, pythons and penguins were among the animals to hit the scales at London Zoo for their annual weigh-in on Thursday (August 22).

Penguins to porcupines hit the scales for annual London zoo weigh-in

Australia's same-sex penguins become parents

The African Penguin Festival showcases a unique species of penguins that is found nowhere else in the planet. There are about 24 known colonies of these penguins all around South Africa.

Conservation and rehabilitation of the species is critical to ensure its survival, given that its population has declined from 5 million in the 1930s to merely 60,000 today.

On the African Penguin Awareness Day, these rehabilitated penguins were released into the wild to ensure the survival of their species.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/laCTWXhiEYY" width="970"></iframe>

Urgent action is needed to save the species, given that its numbers have shrunk rapidly over decades

The African Penguin Festival showcases a unique species of penguins that is found nowhere else in the planet. There are about 24 known colonies of these penguins all around South Africa. Conservation and rehabilitation of the species is critical to ensure its survival, given that its population has declined from 5 million in the 1930s to merely 60,000 today. On the African Penguin Awareness Day, these rehabilitated penguins were released into the wild to ensure the survival of their species.

Video: These penguins are only found in Africa

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