The New England Aquarium in Boston has prioritized play and engagement in its so-called “retirement community” for its aging African penguins.

“We have a variety of behaviors we’re looking to encourage, whether it’s exercise, exploration, manipulation, or foraging,” said Mia Luzietti, the Aquarium’s senior penguin trainer and enrichment coordinator. “Even play. It’s a natural behavior for these species, and so we use the enrichment to try to get creative and mix things up.”

Allie Cook, Penguin Trainer at the New England Aquarium works in the penguin tank. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)

Penguins interact at the New England Aquarium. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)

A penguin at the New England Aquarium. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)