If you’re planning a visit to the Houston Zoo in hopes of seeing the penguins, you’ll have to wait a little longer. The zoo’s Humboldt penguins have been temporarily moved out of public view due to safety concerns related to their habitat. 

Zoo officials announced Friday that the penguins are currently “spending time behind the scenes” after animal care staff noticed them interacting with habitat materials in a potentially harmful way. After consulting with the veterinary team, the decision was made to remove the birds from the Galápagos Islands exhibit as a precaution. 

“We recently noticed the penguins interacting with materials in their Galápagos Islands habitat in a way that could be harmful when ingested,” zoo staff explained in a Facebook post. “Out of an abundance of caution, we’ve temporarily moved them behind the scenes while we look into it further and make modifications to their habitat.” 

The Galápagos Island exhibit, which opened in 2023 as part of a $70 million expansion, is home to the zoo’s Humboldt penguins—a species native to the coasts of Peru and Chile. While these penguins are adapted to warm climates, they remain highly sensitive to environmental threats, including disease. Their habitat at the zoo is enclosed to control temperature and protect them from mosquitoes, which can transmit avian malaria. 

Zoo-goers hoping for a glimpse of the birds still have one option: the Penguin Encounter experience, which allows guests to meet the penguins behind the scenes and learn about their care. How long they’ll remain off exhibit isn’t clear. Some visitors noted the habitat was already covered during Brew at the Zoo on Sept. 12. 

The Houston Zoo said it will share updates as soon as the penguins are ready to return. 

“We know many of you love visiting these birds,” the zoo posted. “We appreciate your patience while we make sure they’re safe and well.”Â