National Aviary announces death of penguin Stanley
One of the longest-tenured flock members at the National Aviary has died. He was 22.
Stanley, named after the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup, arrived at the Aviary on Pittsburgh’s North Side in 2001 when he was just 2 months old.
Stanley was nationally known for the bond he shared with his mate Dottie, the Aviary’s website said. He helped her recover from a chest mass in 2020. Visitors could often see them sunning beak-to-beak on a shared rock inside Penguin Point, where the penguins live.
The Aviary announced his passing via social media on Thursday.
“We are incredibly saddened to share that we have said goodbye to Stanley (named for the Stanley Cup), the very first African Penguin to call the National Aviary home,” the post said.
We are incredibly saddened to share that we have said goodbye to Stanley (named for the Stanley Cup), the very first African Penguin to call the National Aviary home. pic.twitter.com/N917ZRVecL
— National Aviary (@National_Aviary) May 2, 2024
According to the Aviary’s website, African Penguins are native to the southwestern coast of Africa and are one of the 18 species of penguins found throughout the southern hemisphere. They are also among the smallest penguins, standing about 18 inches tall and weighing 6 to 10 pounds.
In the wild African penguins live 8-12 years and can live up to 25 years under human care, said Dr. Pilar Fish, veterinarian and senior director of Zoological Advancement & Avian Medicine at the Aviary. She said Stan — what the staff called him — was “an incredible penguin with a grand personality.”
Stanley was so sweet and loved by everyone, Fish said.
Stan had a back and spinal condition a CT scan confirmed, Fish said.
African Penguins can’t fly, but they are extremely agile swimmers. They use their wings like paddles and their webbed feet like flippers to propel themselves through the water at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour.
African Penguins are part of an Association of Zoos and Aquariums species survival plan to help rescue critically endangered species and recover populations. The great-grandparents of Stanley came from South Africa in the 1960s to help the association found the program.
Stanley was considered to be geriatric for African Penguins.
About 18 months ago, Stanley was suddenly unable to stand or walk well, according to the Aviary website.
He was moved to a customized habitat inside of the Aviary’s veterinary hospital where he had physical therapy sessions that included swimming in a pool while floating on a life vest. He had range of motion physical therapy, assisted-walking exercises and acupuncture.
Even though he was behind the scenes Stanley had lots of visitors from the staff who have cared for him for more than two decades, Fish said.
The Aviary customized a specific plan that included swimming in a pool with the help of a life vest to help him paddle and get some motion in his legs, stretching and walking exercises.
“Just like with people, spinal conditions take time to heal,” Fish said. “We were hopeful. He made some progress but wasn’t able to make a full recovery. He was a special penguin and surrounded by people who loved him. It was so great to be able to care for him. Losing him is a tough part of life but we are celebrating the memories we have of him and that is important to acknowledge.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region’s diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of “A Daughter’s Promise.” She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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