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Aquarium offers endangered penguins 'honeymoon suites'

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African penguins from Shutterstock
African penguins from Shutterstock

The New England Aquarium wants its endangered African penguins to get a little steamy.

Igloo-style homes

Aquarium experts are playing matchmaker behind the scenes to encourage eight pairs of African penguins to breed more chicks. Biologists say that will help a population that's expected to be extinct in the wild by 2025 to continue to thrive in captivity.

The Boston facility is giving its penguins "honeymoon suites" — cosy plastic igloo-style homes and other private nooks off the main exhibit designed to get them in the mood.

Over the past 15 years, the aquarium has sent 28 birds to seven different zoos and aquariums around North America.

World Penguin Day is April 25.

Read:

Penguins in peril

Extinction Symbol

Extinctions threaten human health

Image: African penguins from Shutterstock

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