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Cold callers: Shedd Aquarium gives penguins run of the place

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Chicago's Shedd Aquarium is finding a way to keep its fans informed -- and entertained -- with two very special tour guides.

Animal caretakers are taking the opportunity to let their penguins explore the facility -- supervised, of course, because everyone knows you can't trust a penguin -- and meet their neighbors until they re-open March 29.

The aquarium said Wellington got to see the Amazon exhibit on Sunday, and for some reason seemed really intersted in the fish exhibits. The black-barred silver dollars were also curious about their visitor. He's probably shorter that the ones they're used to.

Bonded rockhopper penguins Edward and Annie, who are roomies for nesting season, met some of their stingray and neighbors of other varieties during a waddle in the Shedd's rotunda on Monday.

Shedd said that while these are unusual times for people, things are fairly normal for their animals. Nonetheless, caregivers are planning new activities, such as waddleabouts, for its animals during the shutdown.

The aquarium is closed to the public for two weeks in an effort to practice social distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The aquarium plans to keep up its "tours" during its closure, so keep an eye on its Facebook page.