A Penguin Play Date at the Saint Louis Zoo

Here at Penguin & Puffin Coast, our dedicated animal care staff has had the privilege of watching our male king penguin chick grow up over the past 3 ½ months. The chick is currently around 16 kg or a little over 35 pounds. Although he is close to adult size and weight, he is still sporting his fluffy grayish-brown down feathers. Over the next few months, he will lose that fluffy down and grow in adult plumage, which is the black and white feathers that most people associate with penguins. Once this happens, his feathers will be waterproof, and he will be able to re-join the colony down on habitat. Until then, we have been offering him play dates behind the scenes at Penguin & Puffin Coast with some of the Gentoo, rockhopper and king penguins. This allows him to socialize with others, which is important for his development. As you can see, he is very vocal and excited when the others come upstairs to play. Listen closely and you will hear him vocalize like an adult for the first time! -Sydney Oliveira, Zoological Manager, Birds

[@ratchet6909]

Thats a big baby

[@ThreadBomb]

As big as the adults!

[@kstarrify]

Yeah he is a baby goliath

[@vkaa3k190]

4U

[@enriquebonifax]

Big boy

[@abortion_worst_CRIME_inHISTORY]

@@ThreadBomb and thicker ☺️

[@stutzstudiowerks]

They are so well behaved. Like school children on a field trip...only better. ;-)

[@Aziqfajar]

Look at them waddle xD

[@pol6690]

But so much louder.

[@prinzessinpummelfee7495]

They looked like tiny business men when they walked into the elevator.

[@algrant5293]

"Busy day today Charles?". "Well I've got to go down and give a motivational speech to the new intern, then come back up to assess public opinion and file away some fish, so it's a pretty comprehensive few hours. We should do lunch sometime Henry"

[@MegaSnow121]

It made me smile to see a group of various sized penguins - enter an elevator. After all, where else could I see such adorable birdies?

[@jannetteberends8730]

I had the same. Imagine waiting for the elevator. And when it stops a group penguins came out.

[@FelipeKana1]

And there were multiple species of penguins together as friends. Very nice

[@ThreadBomb]

At first I thought the elevator was carpeted, which had me worried. You do not want penguins on your carpet.

[@nelsonmerlos1634]

Penguins are very cute. 🐧

[@jaredzoelzer4236]

I think I'll start walking with my arms out now.

[@SuperBhavanishankar]

😹

[@bumblebee2372]

U will look like a git but then who cares. U rock that penguin walk. 😂😂 Edit: I have just realised how British this sounds and I am so sorry 😂 I didn’t mean for my Suffolk nature to come out.

[@kigut7443]

you know what, same. life is too short to not walk with your arms out

[@justalurkr]

I love how they keep their arms out like any minute they will achieve lift off.

[@bobafettywap3170]

Haha I just pictured them with little jet packs 😂

[@CraftyZanTub]

Flying is in their genetic memory.

[@algrant5293]

Nothing wrong g with ambition 🤗

[@legallyrequired]

the amount of serotonin this is giving me could replace my antidepressants

[@ylimexyz]

I broke my leg and forgot about pain killer after watching this video

[@healthinspector4827]

I dont know man, but I always have see these guys as small people.

[@mosey3127]

Alberto BQ, basically. They have emotions and even can be socially awkward.

[@Amy-Bo-Bamy]

Oh yes, me too! I call them Penguin-Beings! 🐧💕

[@chuchu9649]

It’s cause they stand upright and have a society :P

[@kylev.1163]

I'd imagine there reaction after getting off an elevator, "hmmm, a teleporter".

[@herethere8817]

🤣

[@DScritchy]

He’s SO FLUFFY!!!

[@courtneyelison5372]

Cute _and_ fluffy! 😁

[@sherryb6351]

If the sight of a penguin walking doesn't cheer you up, I feel sorry for you.

[@JimmyFoxhound]

I don't know what it is but whenever I see King penguins waddling in a group with their wings out and heads held high looking around like a pack of tourists I bust out laughing! I LOVE them!! Soooo cute!!

[@sined911]

Best part has to be the fact their field trip is voluntary only for the penguins that want to participate lol

[@XSemperIdem5]

I wonder if the penguins tell the other penguins what they saw at the playdate and others decide to join. I mean, if they can identify their partner's call and their chick's call in a colony in the wild, do we really know what they could communicate to each other 🤷

[@citadelofwinds1564]

Just like a tourist expedition, with the tourists milling and necking at things and adding their comments. And there's always stragglers who haven't quite finished looking at everything and have to be hustled along to catch up with the rest.

[@francesnorred944]

YOU Are Sooo T-R-U-E ((And SOO FUNNY))....

[@PhillyfurEver]

Awww, the lil one has to hop to go faster.

[@vegpuppy255]

I love how the penguins get to decide if they want to go have a play date or not. It’s their choice 💕

[@Jackasses]

WAY too cute! All of a sudden I hate my job.

[@hazelsuralta4069]

Me too I just wanna work in there

[@kstarrify]

🤣

[@mitalig222]

Yeah...I want to work there 💕

[@cordyceps7531]

Cool seeing different species of penguins out at once like this. Makes it easier to compare their differences physically.

[@UnXpectedMe]

My aesthetic: cute zookeeper man asking the adorable penguins what they see

[@user-jg3kq8zq9i]

My God. So so so cute. 😍😍😍😍😍

[@CTE-6000EagleVeryHeavyFighter]

Chick: *Cute birb sounds* Emperor: Help! My starter motor is malfunctioning again!

[@coffeejinx1502]

The adults are actually King penguins. I know the two species look similar but there are some notable differences.

[@oygotrqdoogigjfriffj3937]

They look so happy

[@adrestianyx7441]

This is almost too pure. My heart hurts with joy.

[@bellaberg419]

I enjoyed the video so much! Thank you all for the hard work you do for these magnificent birds!

[@genesiskravitz8621]

King penguin chicks growing into adults is the ultimate glow up. And I love how they walk, like they’re on their way to kick someone’s ass. Hehe...they named the chick “Stephen”. Lol

[@HighlanderNorth1]

The "baby" looks bigger than the adult penguins!

[@lucascoval828]

He's HUGE!

[@tommyd.743]

Dealing with penguins all day..... talk about the perfect job.

[@j-rocd9507]

Really proud that I get to go to the St. Louis Zoo because I live here.

[@laschicasRloca]

I am four and a half months pregnant and refer to myself as a penguin due to my 'waddle' walk. Why didn't anyone tell me I look so adorable when I am waddling? This video is everything I needed to start my day with a smile.

[@PureVikingPowers]

Imagine if human babies was as big as an adult man 👶🏻🧸 Who would still change their diapers 🚼🤭

[@emmalovesdisney6335]

I love penguins so much . K wasnt expecting the chick to be so tall. How adorable. I wish I could work with penguins. What a lovely job . They are so cute. Xx

[@x0lopossum]

This is the cutest thing I've ever seen.

[@kylefrank638]

Bonding time! *commences to scream at the ceiling*

[@MostPowerfulPMofIndia]

They are so cute. They walk very cutely

[@Fikri_A777]

Look at those little guys, asserting their dominance on every single moment

[@jessecaeyas6083]

Whoa that penguin is a very good animal and beautiful.

[@tommyd.743]

With their bills pointed up they look like rich little snobs. 😂

[@EllaTrigger]

I like it how they all walk checking out this penguin chick 😂

[@jonesba2004]

Coolest job ever.

[@timjung640]

I HAVE THIS INSATIABLE DESIRE TO GIVE THE CHICK A BIG FAT HUG

[@paupenguin]

I love how The chick whistle 💖🐧

[@willit344]

Oh my god that’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen

[@__brachions__]

The brown penguin has my heart ❤️

[@russellleblanc1539]

Ohh they're all just so darn peecious. All super excited waddling down the hall and into an elevator for a playdate. I swear animals are like crazy adorable little children. So precious 💕 Be kind to every creature you meet.

[@diannelavoie5385]

That was great. You just gotta love penguins.

[@mariabarreto6373]

I love penguin, I worked for Sea World Orlando and I had the pleasure of making two wetsuits for penguins that lost their feathers, and what was my satisfaction that I work for them now they are well, I did not recognize them when I saw them again.

[@FruitlessPhoenix]

I don't know but something about seeing them around like T makes me happy

[@natalie8212]

Well now this was just precious.

[@judasz1427]

1:09 the sound penguins make always throws me off, like they grow up into motorbikes

[@xxDrain]

Zoo work looks rewarding. Socializing with animals is fun.

[@dirtyjeepgirl3774]

Rockhoppers are life! Loved seeing a couple join in the playdate 🐧

[@DeliaEDuron]

They are adorable... I love Stephen.

[@infallibleblue]

I love this opportunity to see them roam around!

[@Raisin_]

Dream job right there. Chillin with penguins on an elevator

[@williamjordan5554]

And now you know how Jurassic Park put together most of the sound of the velociraptors.

[@galling2052]

Im in awe of the size of this lad!

[@faithhannah4830]

The playdate is voluntary dude, it just makes things 10x better

[@hz2631]

OMG i love love the chick who looks like a giant kiwi fruit! Wanna hug all of them♥️♥️♥️🤗🤗🤗🤗😭😭

[@ReconRaptor]

love the "come at me bro" flippers.

[@biklee]

Just too adorable! 🐧🐧🐧

[@jonq-brit3817]

What an absolute privilege it must be to work there. Penguins are on of my favourite critters.

[@aniciawong7784]

They are so adorable! Pls take great care of them.👌👍❤🥰🤩🐧

[@kstarrify]

Riding the elevator🤣🤣So cute and makes sense

[@Leyla7292]

So very cute when they walk 😅 Ohh this was a feel good video 😍 Greetings from Scandinavia 🌺

[@rishijagtap2968]

Penguin: Walks My Depression: Aight Imma head out

[@leehalas1952]

KZbin: here some penguins me: OMG PENGUINS

[@bornagainhxxligan]

Can't wait to see Stephen in the midst of all his family and friends at the zoo! Excited to be back for the spring and summer. There's no better time to see the zoo and our feathered friends than the spring and summer 😍 so excited to be back!

[@aerondight3029]

Hahahaha! Penguins are so awesome, strangest weirdest most awesomest birds 😂😂

[@llililillilliilli905]

penguins hold a special place in my heart

[@basilisgkotsis4042]

Been spending most our lives Livin' in a Penguin's paradise *4

[@Velociter]

The way they waddle with their wings outstretched behind them is hilarious.

[@CRNCHY]

Imagine waiting for the elevator and some penguins pull up

[@duhh.romana]

Being a zookeeper just seems like the best job, get to hang out with a bunch of animals all day. Perfect

[@elizabetholiviaclark]

I love their little side-flappies. OMG, they took the elevator. I'm melting and laughing at the same time.

[@nancypiglosi666.piglosi6]

Absolutely adorable! Huge fuzzy baby, cuteness overload!

[@b.s.1302]

penguins taking the lift!!! so cute!

[@alinalbelieber]

This felt so good. Penguiens are my fav animals!!! Especially adelies:-) i looove their character

[@simonacapuozzo4465]

This video made my day! Thanks for sharing this😍

[@Wolfy39565]

Seriously they're like kids! Cute

[@crazyivan030983]

My grandpas old diesel tractor used to make sounds like this during startup :D sweet, beautiful birdies :* greetings from Poland :)

[@jradjj2988]

Penguins are one of my favorite animals the way they waddle and just look is just the most adorable thing

[@algrant5293]

Penguins in a lift would make such a better movie than snakes in a plane 🐧

[@jamesdakis826]

I love the staring contest with the polar bear.

[@nacregem]

I like the sounds penguins make

[@helloworld3943]

0:45 the two at the left of the screen. They are headed into the elevator at the same time and the small one stops to let the bigger penguin in and then he's(larger penguin) like,go-ahead. Just like people lol

[@justynabm4959]

I like the noises they make

[@natashabolton2338]

Woo so cute :) seems like they all enjoying themselves :) 🙃😊

[@CharlyDeamen]

That is arguably one of the better jobs in the world.

[@EnsignPissBoots]

This is the best thing I have ever seen in the 29 years of my life...

[@killeing]

I just love the way penguins move ^_^ the way they waddle with their flippers at the side like they're about to fly, it's just adorable!

[@Jojo-gg6jc]

We went to this Zoo about 8 years ago and this was my favorite exhibit. This zoo is incredible.🐧🐧🐧

[@norissima95]

Big brown Furby 🐧

[@PeperoTheChihuahua]

Wow that was a delight! It's so fun to see penguins in a human setting. And the chick is so fluffy!!!!

[@Mariescott3380]

Penguins are so cute.

[@tumble6269]

Awwww, so cute! This video has officially made penguins my favorite species of birds! :)

[@friedrice7876]

That fluffy brown one is already my favorite

[@RAVETOR]

Penguins seems to be kind creatures. =)

[@coffeewired]

What fun! Precious 🥰

[@jahzielperalta484]

This is sooo cute! The penguin are soo polite and a good listener

[@chance1113]

lmfao seeing them run out of the elevator like that feels like im watching everyone run out of the office for lunch at work

[@NuclearCashew]

PENGUINS IN AN ELEVATOR?! I dunno why but i find that hilarious