We do want the world to see you! Meet Iris the Humboldt penguin

The votes are in: New name plays homage to beloved WNY band; penguin home at Aquarium of Niagara

Aquarium of Niagara press release & photos

The public has spoken, and the Aquarium of Niagara’s 26th successfully reared Humboldt penguin chick will be named Iris.

Iris was one of four names selected for public vote by the Aquarium of Niagara’s zoological team, along with Annie, Burnett and Theodosia. All name options had historical or cultural significance to Niagara Falls and Western New York.

The Aquarium of Niagara counted more than 1,300 votes over the 10-day voting period during which fans could vote both online and while visiting the venue. Iris surged as an early leader, ultimately receiving half of the votes and as many as the other three name options combined.

“Iris” is the title of the Goo Goo Dolls' iconic 1998 hit song, written for the “City of Angels” soundtrack and released on the band's sixth studio album, “Dizzy Up the Girl.” The song has remained a critical and commercial success for nearly three decades, earning Diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and ranking No. 39 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 greatest pop songs.

The Aquarium of Niagara is the owner of this photo and provided it for inclusion with this press release.

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Iris hatched at the Aquarium of Niagara in April. Her parents, PJ Jr. and Blanca, came to the venue in 2019 from the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington, as part of Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) for Humboldt penguins, which are designated as vulnerable to extinction on the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species. Through the SSP, the Aquarium of Niagara works with other AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums to match genetically strong penguins and ensure a thriving, sustainable penguin population under human care.

Iris is currently in the nest with her parents and is not often viewable from the public gallery. She will soon go off-exhibit to a behind-the-scenes holding area for “penguin preschool” where she will learn to swim and receive food from the Aquarium of Niagara’s animal care specialists. Fans are encouraged to follow social media channels to receive regular updates. 

More about The Aquarium of Niagara: A nonprofit organization and public aquarium located in Niagara Falls, the Aquarium of Niagara is the only aquatic museum in the region. It serves the community as a nexus for explorative learning by celebrating natural wonders and inspiring people to make a difference for aquatic life. Its campus is comprised of two distinct buildings housing 180 different species, including several that were rescued and deemed unable to return to the wild.

The Aquarium of Niagara is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Alliance for Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, and the International Marine Mammal Trainer’s Association. For more information, visit aquariumofniagara.org.