With the Super Bowl days away, Ripley’s Aquariums MVP – most valuable penguin – Fleury, has made her prediction. The four-year-old African penguin has placed all bets on the Cincinnati Bengals.

Last year, Fleury predicted the Kansas City Chiefs would take the title. With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers securing their second-ever Super Bowl victory 31-9, Fleury has something to prove.

“Out to redeem herself after last year’s pick, we were shocked when Fleury selected the underdog Bengals, but Cincinnati is much closer to her Gatlinburg home at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies,” said Ryan DeSear, Vice President US Operations.

Fans on social media agree with Fleury’s choice. In recent polls across social media, Ripley’s followers strongly favored the Cincinnati Bengals.

Make a Splash With Fleury at Ripley’s Aquariums!

In total, there are 18 different species of penguins. Unfortunately, 11 of these 18 are globally threatened! Some species, like the African penguins living in the Penguin Playhouse at Ripley’s Aquariums, are endangered. Ripley’s works closely with the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal birds to support these birds on exhibit and in the wild. Through the Species Survival Plan, Ripley’s Aquariums work to help rebuild the population by raising three African Penguin chicks throughout the course of three years.

African penguins Myrtle Beach

Waddle on over to the Penguin Playhouse at both Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach to experience these flippered friends for yourself and to learn more about how you can help in the conservation of these beautiful birds. Start planning your trip to Ripley’s Aquariums!