Atlanta Humane Society lets puppies roam aquarium closed due to coronavirus

The Georgia Aquarium, closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic, opened its doors for a unique field trip Thursday — a visit by puppies from the Atlanta Humane Society. 

Puppies from the Atlanta shelter roamed freely through the open halls of the marine exhibit in video shared by the Georgia Aquarium.

“Our puppies just had the best. day. Ever. They got to explore the Georgia Aquarium while it is closed to the public. They made all sorts of exciting discoveries and lots of new friends!” the Humane Society said on Facebook. 

The two puppies gandered at walls of fish. Later, they were napping in the windowsills of the sea life exhibits.

Similarly, Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium has been allowing its penguins to roam the halls of the building shut for the public. The aquarium has been sharing videos on Twitter of the penguins strolling the exhibits. 

Where’s Wellington now? This little rockhopper took a tour of Shedd’s Wild Reef…and he’s not alone! A few of the Magellanic penguins that call Shedd home joined this penguin party, checking out this massive habitat. pic.twitter.com/NcKkOtGdPw

— Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) March 21, 2020

Where’s Wellington?? Fun fact: Wellington had a “favorite fish” on his field trip through Amazon Rising! He seemed extra interested in the neon-colored cardinal tetras. pic.twitter.com/Jv4zCCPYzj

— Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) March 24, 2020

When in the water, penguins are powerhouses!

Magellanic penguins are excellent long-distance swimmers. With their powerful wings, they can hit speeds of 15 mph. Monte explored the Polar Play Zone and stopped to watch Dolores and Mercedes swim. pic.twitter.com/dYiDhdGhNM

— Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) March 25, 2020

The Georgia Aquarium shut down earlier this month due to the coronavirus pandemic. There are 1,525 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 48 deaths across Georgia, according to the state’s health department.