Animals and Insects

Penguins Have Their Own Awareness Day, And They Deserve It

Penguin Awareness Day is Jan. 20. They're arguably one of the cutest animals ever, but sadly, many subspecies are vulnerable or endangered.

Penguins Have Their Own Awareness Day, And They Deserve It
Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
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Jan. 20 is Penguin Awareness Day.

"He's not listening to us," a penguin said in a commercial for the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

"Try the one with the orange beak," another penguin said.

"I know, I tried the one with the orange beak. I tried waving my wings. Sir!" the first penguin said.

There's a lot of cuteness to celebrate.

But sadly, more than half of penguin species are vulnerable or endangered. (Video via PBS)

There are about 17 species. (Video via World Wildlife Fund)

Like the endangered yellow-eyed penguin, native to New Zealand.

And the African penguin.

Oil spills and overfishing of the African penguin's food supply are big threats to its survival. (Video via BBC)

But the Georgia Aquarium has welcomed 24 baby African penguins since 2012 as part of the Species Survival Program.

And it's hoping to raise a lot more. (Video via Georgia Aquarium)

This video includes images from Getty Images.