Video: Penguins waddle around SF Zoo exhibits during shutdown

As cooped up Bay Area residents ventured outside to enjoy the warmest day of the week, three of the San Francisco Zoo’s Magellanic penguins were able to soak up some sunshine.

The zoo has been sharing videos on Twitter of the adorable flightless trio waddling around the uninhabited facilities, even interacting with some of the other animals. Glide, Spartacus and Foster are all under two years of age and can usually be found with their colony on Penguin Island — one of the largest outdoor penguin exhibits in the world.

Extremely social animals by nature and already accustomed to the zoo’s typically bustling atmosphere, the animal care team decided to let the penguins go on a field trip in an attempt to provide them with additional socialization and enrichment. Since the penguins are originally from South America, the staff decided to take them to the zoo’s South American Tropical Building and Aviary for a visit.

The curious penguins were then able to peer into the protected viewing area in front of the zoo’s meerkat exhibit, which was at eye-level for both species.

“Interestingly, the meerkats seemed more interested in the penguins than vice versa,” said Tanya Peterson, CEO and executive director of the San Francisco Zoological Society.

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The penguins also visited some of the zoo’s swans and red pandas, which seemed to prefer staying in their tree house to socializing with their strange new neighbors. Nonetheless, the videos have been able to bring a little bit of cheer to the isolated public.

“From comments on social media, it appears our members and public miss SF Zoo as much as we miss them!” said Peterson. “Not only do the videos demonstrate that our animals are healthy and safe, the videos keep us connected to our followers and donors.”

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It’s all thanks to the generosity of those donors and vendors that the zoo has been able to avoid significant layoffs, added Peterson. The mandatory shutdown has caused the zoo to lose 60% of its operating revenues and postpone its largest annual fundraiser. It costs about $30,000 a day to provide vital services for their animals, and the zoo is also relying on donations from the public.

In the meantime, they're trying to make light of the circumstances. "Both our animals and staff are well, adapting to their new routines as best as possible."

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Amanda Bartlett is an SFGATE associate digital reporter. Email: amanda.bartlett@sfgate.com | Twitter: @byabartlett