When Lambert began losing his vision and slowing down, it became clear he needed a place where he could age safely — and still be close to his friends.
But he couldn’t just move into any retirement home — because Lambert is a critically endangered African penguin. That’s why the New England Aquarium in Boston, where 33-year-old Lambert was born and has lived his entire life, decided in February to open a geriatric island especially for him and six other elderly penguins.
“It honestly started as a joke — like, ‘What if we gave them a retirement home?’” said Eric Fox, the aquarium’s assistant penguin curator. “But as we reviewed their health data and saw their physical limitations, we realized we were onto something meaningful.”
The rocky island, located near the aquarium’s entrance, is separate from the main colony of 38 birds, ensuring the older penguins don’t have to compete for territory with their younger, more aggressive companions. These black-and-white birds stand about two feet tall and weigh roughly the same as a large house cat.
The enclosure features a flatter terrain and a carpeted path leading to the water, making it easier for Lambert and his elderly friends to move around. A new platform also helps them exit the water comfortably.
According to Mia Luzietti, the aquarium’s head penguin trainer, Lambert has become more active since moving to the new island — swimming with his partner and venturing off the island more frequently.
Longevity in Captivity
The idea arose from a growing concern among zoos and aquariums worldwide: what to do when animals live far longer than their wild counterparts. African penguins can now live over 30 years in captivity — one even reached 40 — roughly twice their life expectancy in the wild, where threats like pollution and overfishing severely impact survival.
“It’s essential that as we learn how long these animals can thrive under optimal care, we evolve with that knowledge,” said Luzietti. “Creating our geriatric island allows our oldest penguins to enjoy a more comfortable, peaceful life as they age.”
Care for the elderly penguins goes beyond the enclosure itself. The older birds receive more frequent checkups, and veterinarians treat them for conditions familiar to aging humans — such as arthritis, joint pain, and glaucoma — with supplements, anti-inflammatories, and eye drops. Extra cameras have also been installed for close monitoring.
“We pay close attention to their hips, gait, posture, even if they squint,” Luzietti added. “The smallest daily change can reveal something important.”
Recently, Luzietti was seen tending to Lambert, who stood proudly beside his partner, Dyer III, preening and braying — a sound that resembles a donkey’s call. Lambert had his left eye removed due to an infection and now suffers from glaucoma in his right eye, as well as chronic inflammation. Luzietti gently lifted him from his perch, and soon he was sitting calmly on her lap, ready for his daily eye drops.
Nearby, a crowd gathered to watch — among them Terri Blessman, a 69-year-old tourist from Illinois, in a wheelchair pushed by her friend Lou Ann Delost. Learning about Lambert’s age and the care he receives, Blessman smiled.
“It’s wonderful,” she said. “All of us older folks need a little extra care as we grow old.”