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A time-honored Valentine’s Day tradition: Academy biologists will distribute heart-shaped valentines to the Academy’s colony of Species Survival Plan African penguins during their 10:30 am feedings on Feb. 12, 13, and 14. The male penguins typically accept the hearts, and take them back to their nests to present them to their female counterparts as nest-lining material.

The hearts have sweet Valentine’s Day messages from high school interns in the Academy's Careers in Science (CiS) program.

In-person: Visitors to the Academy can see the valentines heart distribution on all three dates: Feb. 12, 13, and 14 at 10:30 am.

Via livestream: On Feb. 14 at 10:30 am only, this event will be available to view via livestream on the Academy’s Facebook page for $2.99. The video will be available to watch for free on YouTube on Feb. 15. As a bonus, biologists are conducting a special extended program with 15-minutes of exclusive content for online viewers, including details on the important husbandry work done by Steinhart Aquarium biologists, live penguin painting and raffle, and audience Q&A.