TAMPA - The Florida Aquarium on Thursday said that seven African penguins have died.

The cause of death is unknown and under examination. The Aquarium’s remaining penguins are receiving around the clock observation and care, Aquarium officials said.

"It’s never easy to communicate the loss of a species ambassador, especially one as iconic as our African penguins," the Aquarium said in prepared statement.

"The Florida Aquarium will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to understand this tragic course of events. Unfortunately, we may never know the cause of death."

The Florida Aquarium has provided care to a colony of African penguins since 2006.