Mystic — Mystic Aquarium has unveiled a new, more intimate animal encounter program with its collection of endangered African penguins.

The aquarium continues to offer its original penguin encounter, in which groups of about 10 people learn about conservation efforts involving penguins and get to spend some time with one.

The new 30-minute program, which was launched this week in conjunction with National Penguin Awareness Day on Wednesday, offers groups of four people or fewer a chance to visit the penguin exhibit’s back up area, where the animals are cared for, according to aquarium spokeswoman Dale Wolbrink.

She said visitors will have more time to spend with the penguins and get a more in-depth explanation of conservation and research efforts.

The program will change depending on time of the year and whether the birds are nesting, weaning or are at some other stage.

“There is more of an educational piece now. The back up area is a place our visitors don’t normally get to see,” she said. “We talk a lot more about the care of the animals and you get to see it.”

The cost of the encounter, called “Penguins Up Close,” is $89 for members and $99 for non-members. Reservations can be made at www.mysticaquarium.org.

The aquarium is one of the institutions leading the effort to help save wild populations of African penguins.

The number of breeding pairs in the wild has declined from an estimated 1 million in the 1920s to just 25,000 in 2009.

The aquarium plays a major role in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' African Penguin Species Survival Plan.

Gayle Sirpenski, an animal management specialist at the aquarium, is the co-coordinator of the plan, in which accredited zoos and aquariums cooperate on a breeding program that is dedicated to ensure the long-term survival of the species.

The aquarium also assists researchers in South Africa and sends staff to a seabird rescue and rehabilitation program there to help with the effort.

Tracy Camp, a senior trainer at the aquarium, has posted a blog about her recent trip there at http://bit.ly/1navinv.

A 13-minute film produced by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which includes Sirpenski, looks at the current threats facing African penguins, efforts in South Africa to preserve them and why it is important to save them from extinction.

It can be seen at https://youtu.be/8pF1N7X7TIo

j.wojtas@theday.com

Twitter: @joewojtas