Though the Shedd Aquarium reopened to the public earlier this month, the institution's popular in-person animal encounters are still on hold to help maintain social distancing. Instead, the aquarium is going digital with virtual penguin encounters that allow you to get up close and personal with aquatic birds from the comfort of your home.
Priced at $59.95, each encounter lasts 45 minutes and is led by a member of the in-house animal care team. Aside from getting to watch the penguins waddle around, guests will be able to scope out their habitat and learn about how they "fly" underwater. Each session will be focused on a Magellanic and rockhopper penguin, and attendees are invited to ask questions along the way in the live chat function. And no, the Shedd Aquarium can't guarantee that A-lister Wellington will be in attendance.
It's worth noting that these virtual encounters will only be offered from July 25 through August 8 at 9:30am and 1pm daily. Each session allows for 20 guests total, though groups of up to four people are encouraged to watch together from a single device. Want something more private? You can buy out the full session for a cool $949.95.
The real beauty of these virtual encounters is that you can book one from anywhere in the world—as long as you're willing to work with the time difference. But for the chance to see a penguin waddling around in real time, we'll set an alarm.
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