Please note: From May 26 through the end of June, the Aquarium will be making exciting updates to our lobby. Construction should not affect your visit. For guests with sensory needs, KultureCity Bags will now be available at the box office. Thank you for your understanding!
Our Experts
Eric Fox
Associate Curator of Penguins
Animal Care, New England AquariumEducation
BS, Animal Science, University of Connecticut
About
Eric Fox started his animal care experience at a young age working with various domestic animals and livestock. He graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor’s in animal science and a minor in wildlife conservation. This ultimately led him to start a career in animal care and conservation. In 2013, he joined Mystic Aquarium’s Marine Mammal and Bird Department. Since joining the New England Aquarium in 2019, Eric has focused on implementing best practices that ensure optimal well-being of the penguins that call the Aquarium home. He has led the penguin team toward advancements in behavioral husbandry, such as cooperative training, environmental enrichment, and promoting species-specific behaviors. He has thoroughly enjoyed helping make advancements in geriatric penguin care and our sustainable breeding program in partnership with AZA’s Species Survival Program.
Eric is not only passionate about caring for the Aquarium’s African and southern rockhopper penguins, but he also has a strong connection to the conservation of their wild counterparts. Before joining New England Aquarium, Eric traveled to South Africa on two separate occasions to help rehabilitate and release abandoned African penguin chicks with the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB). He most loves connecting with Aquarium visitors by sharing his experiences caring for endangered and vulnerable penguin species, all in the hope of inspiring people to take large-scale action to address the decline of aquatic animals and ecosystems. Eric has helped add New England Aquarium as a program partner for AZA’s SAFE African penguins program to increase our impact on penguin conservation.
Affiliations
- Institutional Representative, Association for Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), Southern Rockhopper Penguin Species Survival Plan
- Program Partner Representative, AZA, SAFE African penguins Program
- Management Committee Member, AZA, African Penguin Species Survival Plan
- International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association (IMATA)
Behind the Scenes with Our Animal Care Team
At the Aquarium and in our Animal Care Center in Quincy, our team provides exceptional day-to-day support for the animals in our care, managing their diet, providing enrichment sessions, and much more.
