SeaWorld’s Wonder Twin Penguin Thrives

SeaWorld Orlando’s most distinctive—and trendy—penguin is back in fine form again. The bird’s determination and fun spirit have earned her the love of many fans who have followed her interesting journey.

Wonder Twin is a female penguin who recently suffered significant feather loss. The penguin is a longtime SeaWorld resident, but this phenomenon also sometimes happens to penguins in the wild, although the reasons are often unclear. A penguin who is short on feathers may look unusual, but this goes beyond a vanity issue. Feathers help penguins stay warm, and without sufficient feathers to regulate her body temperature, this girl was at risk for a number of potential problems.

SeaWorld officials decided to try and brainstorm a solution to help Wonder Twin survive her feather shortage. They recruited their on-staff costume designer to create a one-of-a-kind wetsuit for the penguin, to help keep her warm and protect her vulnerable body. The wetsuit was crafted to resemble those worn by divers who visit the park.

Wonder Twin definitely garnered a lot of attention as she frolicked around her area of the park in the Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin habitat sporting her unique outfit. She quickly became one of the location’s most popular residents.  

READ MORE: A Walking Tour Of Busch Gardens

The wetsuit served its purpose well, keeping the featherless penguin warm and protected as Wonder Twin continued to thrive. Eventually, her handlers at SeaWorld were thrilled to discover that the little penguin had begun growing a new set of feathers. She soon had such a fine coat of feathers that she no longer needed her trendy wetsuit. But park officials now have a system for designing this type of suit efficiently, should they ever have a need to create another one for a penguin in need.

While the penguin dubbed Wonder Twin may have become one of the stars of the park, SeaWorld also has plenty of other delightful and interesting residents who love meeting new friends among the park’s visitors. There are of course the killer whales, as well as dolphins, sharks, sea turtles and more. Guests can watch a sea lion show, swim with the dolphins or get an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour.

In addition to the penguin habitat where Wonder Twin lives, there is also Dolphin Cove, one of the largest interactive dolphin pools in the world. See the tiniest dolphin residents as they play and master basic skills at the dolphin nursery. And don’t miss Shark Encounter, where you can wander through an underwater viewing tunnel that is among the largest in the world. It’s a rare opportunity to get a close-up look at one of the most feared creatures found in the ocean.

There are also plenty of rides, including those specifically designed for kids. Guests of all ages will also love the wide variety of dining and shopping options available throughout the park, and there are several camp programs geared towards helping young people learn more about the animals who inhabit the property. Visit Wonder Twin and all of the other residents of SeaWorld Orlando.