Nearly everything is closed and the world is on one big “time out” these days. But just because businesses aren’t open to the public doesn’t mean they’re empty.

Take, for example, facilities that house and care for animals. From shelters to aquariums, employees still need to come in and make sure the creatures they’re responsible for are doing well.

And while Sea World is a controversial business, there is one heartwarming story that’s come out of an Australian location this month as caretakers have used the empty venue as an opportunity to let loose – quite literally.

The pandemic-era animal antics actually began in Chicago at the Shedd Aquarium where employees posted now-viral videos on Twitter of three rockhopper penguins let loose from their habitat for a “field trip” through the venue.

Penguins in the Amazon?!

Some of the penguins went on a field trip to meet other animals at Shedd. Wellington seemed most interested in the fishes in Amazon Rising! The black-barred silver dollars also seemed interested in their unusual visitor. pic.twitter.com/KgYWsp5VQD

— Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) March 15, 2020

“While Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium may be closed to the public, animal care staff and veterinarians are onsite 24/7,” a spokesman told The Washington Post. “Without guests in the building, caretakers are getting creative in how they provide enrichment to animals — introducing new experiences, activities, foods and more to keep them active, encourage them to explore, problem-solve and express natural behaviors.”

People could not get enough of the penguins’ excitement – especially that of Wellington, one of the oldest penguins in the U.S.

The penguin parade gave the Sea World employees in Gold Coast, Australia an idea. They decided to take their sea lion, Birri Junior, on an outing of his own.

The video they posted on Facebook just a few days ago has already been viewed over 129,000 times!

That’s because Birri Junior is an adorable tourist!

As he comes waddling out of the hallway, he happens upon a display called Shark Bay.

He was enthralled by sharks, stingrays, and exotic fish as his caretaker stroked his back to let him know this out-of-the-ordinary adventure was safe.

After less than a minute of watching Birri Junior, fans were already eager to see the promised Part II. In fact, they are ready for a feature-length film!

It’s particularly amusing when Birri Junior barks, though it’s unclear why he’s doing it.

We’ve been promised that it was a humane and successful outing for the sea lion, which is why they’re willing to post more videos.

According to USA Today, aquarium residents aren’t the only ones getting tours these days. Staff at the Atlanta Humane Society brought two of their puppies to the Georgia Aquarium while it was closed to the public. And, in typical puppy fashion, they had a blast.

Keep your eyes peeled for more adorable videos.

And make sure you scroll down below to see Birri Junior’s big adventure.

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Source: Bored Panda, The Washington Post, Sea World – Gold Coast, Australia via Facebook, USA Today,