Aquarium officials shared the urgent need for flood barrier walls and upgrades to exterior entrances to protect animals at its downtown Tampa location.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Penguins from the Florida Aquarium waddled their way to the state capitol this week to advocate for more funding for storm protection and reef restoration.
African penguins Archi, Enzi, Nuru and Pebbles were sent to Tallahassee to urge lawmakers to provide more state funding to strengthen storm protection at the aquarium’s downtown Tampa location and sustain Florida’s coral reef restoration efforts.
The team shared the urgent need for flood barrier walls and upgrades to exterior entrances, which are critical protections for animals, habitats and life support systems.
Following the events of hurricanes Helene and Milton, floodwaters made their way to the aquarium’s doors, forcing staff to relocate animals, including penguins, to higher ground.
“With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, these improvements are essential to protecting both marine life and the aquarium’s education and conservation work,” the aquarium wrote in a statement.
This comes as Florida lawmakers are in the middle of this year’s legislative session, where the Florida Aquarium is hoping to fund these projects through a 2026–27 Local Funding Initiative Request. It is currently being supported by Senator Danny Burgess and Representative Michael Owen.
During the 2025 legislative session, the Aquarium’s request for storm protection funding was not included in the final 2025 budget signed by Governor Ron DeSantis.
Florida Aquarium officials are also emphasizing continued funding for Florida’s Coral Reef Restoration and Recovery efforts through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Previous investments have allowed the aquarium and its partners to produce tens of thousands of new corals, strengthening reefs that are vital to Florida’s tourism and fishing industries, providing habitat for marine life and helping buffer coastlines from storms.
Continuing restoration effort support can would fight against disease, mass bleaching and rising ocean temperatures.
“These critically endangered animals are more than ambassadors for their species—they’re a reminder of how vulnerable our marine ecosystems can be,” Katrina Cox, Senior Director of Grants and Government Affairs at the Florida Aquarium, said. “With targeted investments, we can protect marine wildlife, restore critical habitats, and advance conservation programs that benefit communities across the state.”
The penguins made their rounds to visit multiple lawmakers during their visit to the Capitol, including Rep. Lawrence McClure, Sen. Alexis Calatayud, Sen. Ed Hooper and Sen. Jim Boyd.
Florida Aquarium penguins visit state capitol