# Mar del Plata Aquarium bankruptcy and animal relocation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mar-del-plata-aquarium-bankruptcy-and-animal-relocation
> Updated: 2026-09-18T22:03:26.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 3.

Following the March 2025 closure of the Mar del Plata Aquarium due to a failed land lease renewal, the bankruptcy of its manager, Plunimar S.A., has led to the liquidation of its assets. In August 2026, four crested penguins were valued at $40,000 as part of a judicial process to settle debts and unpaid wages.

By September 2026, the focus shifted toward the welfare of the remaining animals. More than 40 Magellanic penguins were relocated to the Bubalcó Foundation reserve in Río Negro. Because these penguins were raised in captivity and lack the skills to hunt or defend themselves in the wild, the relocation was authorized by a commercial court to ensure they receive human assistance and specialized care in a controlled environment.

The Bubalcó Foundation, a non-profit focused on wildlife conservation, spent months performing infrastructure work to prepare for the arrival. The new enclosure features specialized water channels and ramp systems designed to facilitate swimming and exploration. The relocation was coordinated through the legal process overseen by the commercial court managing the aquarium's bankruptcy.

## Claims

- The Bubalcó Foundation managed the relocation of 40 Magellanic penguins to a new habitat in Río Negro. (single source)
- Judicial authorities determined the penguins lacked the skills to survive in the open sea, preventing their release into the wild. (single source)
- The Aquarium de Mar del Plata closed in March 2025 following a bankruptcy process. (single source)
- Sernapesca coordinated the rescue and transfer of three Magellanic penguins found in Concón and El Quisco. (single source)
- Fundación Ñamku provided initial medical evaluation and first aid to the rescued penguins in Concón. (single source)
- The rescued penguins were transferred to a rehabilitation center run by the NGO Conservación Humboldt in the Coquimbo Region. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-18: Bioparque Bubalcó receives 40 penguins from closed aquarium

Over 40 Magellanic penguins from the closed Mar del Plata Aquarium have been relocated to Bioparque Bubalcó in Río Negro for specialized care following the bankruptcy of Plunimar S.A.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bioparque-bubalc-receives-40-penguins-from-closed-aquarium

### 2026-09-16: Bubalcó Foundation provides new home for 40 rescued penguins

Forty Magellanic penguins from the closed Mar del Plata Aquarium have been relocated to the Bubalcó Foundation in Río Negro, Argentina, for permanent care due to their inability to survive in the wild.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/magellanic-penguins-relocated-to-ro-negro-reserve

### 2026-08-25: Mar del Plata Aquarium penguins valued at $40,000 amid bankruptcy

Four penguins from the bankrupt Mar del Plata Aquarium in Argentina have been valued at $40,000 for potential international sale to settle company debts.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mar-del-plata-aquarium-penguins-valued-at-40000-amid-bankruptcy

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Cite as: Mar del Plata Aquarium bankruptcy and animal relocation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mar-del-plata-aquarium-bankruptcy-and-animal-relocation