Patrons looking to take in all things penguins got to partake in one of Calgary’s most beloved winter activities, the start of the 12th annual penguin walk at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, on Jan. 16.

Although the usual soft launch of the walks were put off by the bone-chilling cold and wind from the week prior, Tuesday’s walk was more running start than waddle with the penguins itching to get outdoors and see the zoo themselves.

Even before the start of the walk, the zoo’s colony of King penguins gathered at the Penguin Plunge gate for the promise of getting outside of their enclosure followed by the promise of a fishy treat.

“I always think the penguin walk is the best time of year. The penguins love to walk, and it’s great exercise for them, as exercise is important for all of us,” said Valerie Edwards, penguin zookeeper at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo.

“It also recreates a natural behaviour they would do in the wild, where they would walk from the ocean to their nesting areas or their roosting areas.”

The walks are what the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo calls a free-choice activity, ensuring that each of the birds can decide for themselves whether they want to take part in the walk or not.

Edwards said that all of the penguins are curious birds, and were likely to take in some of the interesting sights outside of their enclosure, including those of other animals like the Big Horn Sheep which are now visible from their redesigned Wild Canada habitat.

Included in Tuesday’s walk was one of the newest members of the King Penguin colony, which Edwards said was a big step for the birds who have not yet shed their fluffy brown feathers.

“This is a big step for them, they’re going out, they’re going on pavement, and people are closer,” she said.

“Our chicks, we kind of joke they don’t look like chicks as much, they’re going to be the same size as the adults. Our chick is 14 kilograms, so he’s the same size as some of our biggest birds. But it’s still his first time, so just like any other youngster, they’re going to be checking out the environment.”

The overall message from the walks though is one of conservation.

Edwards said getting to be up close to the birds, despite King penguins being a species of least concern for extinction, was a reminder of the loss of habitat that they face through climate change.

“There’s over 2 million of them in the wild, but certainly their habitat is important to protect and to know about. So, I think that’s the overarching conservation message, just being aware of their behaviours, where they live, and what’s going on in the world around them,” she said.

The walks occur daily, weather-dependent, at 10:30 a.m.

Photos of the 12th annual King penguin walk at the Calgary Zoo