Arlo

Arlo hatched on 10 March 2019 and, as a young penguin first exploring the habitat, was initially cautious about unfamiliar surroundings.

During those early days, he would occasionally position himself between the legs of familiar keepers when the environment became overwhelming — a behaviour sometimes still seen today during busy periods or unfamiliar activity.

Over time, he has grown considerably more confident, though he remains especially comfortable around the care team he has known since he was young.

Arlo is notably inquisitive and regularly investigates activity within both his habitat and guest encounters. During penguin sessions, he may approach visitors directly, occasionally pecking at shoes or clothing to inspect unfamiliar textures. He is also known for exploring different areas of the pool and frequently approaches keepers during feeding or habitat cleaning sessions.

Like many penguins, he appears somewhat awkward while walking on land — a characteristic that becomes considerably less noticeable once he enters the water, where king penguins are built for remarkable agility and speed.

Arlo can often be seen throughout the day during keeper talks and backstage encounter programmes at Bird Paradise. Among his more unusual habits is a tendency to investigate piles of ice by lying down beside them and occasionally eating the ice flakes themselves.

Although the exact purpose of this behaviour remains uncertain, it may simply be a case of curiosity. Penguins, after all, spend quite a lot of time investigating things that appear cold, slippery, or mildly inconvenient.

With climate change, penguin parents have to swim longer distances to find food and to return to feed their chicks.  The long wait has resulted in chicks dying from starvation. 

Arlo's presence at Bird Paradise gives guests a rare, close encounter with a species of extraordinary beauty, and through the daily keeper talks, every visit becomes an opportunity for guests to understand the fragile world penguins call home.