I saw this link in my Google alerts this morning and just had to share. For their daughter’s 16th birthday, these parents took her to Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas, for Seal and Penguin Encounter. They got to interact with the penguins in lots of ways including feeding, playing, touching, and letting them create some works of art for her to take home. An awesome experience, I’m sure! I can’t wait until I get to experience the same sort of thing out here in Ohio at Newport.
Penguin Dies at Sedgwick County Zoo
The Sedgwick County Zoo is mourning the loss of one of its newest residents. The zoo announced today, a Humboldt Penguin died last Saturday. According to Zoo Spokeswoman Christan Baumer, the penguin was showing signs of illness last Thursday and was kept off exhibit so zoo handlers could treat it, but the penguin passed away early Saturday. Preliminary reports suggest the bird had severe lung congestion. The zoo is awaiting lab results to confirm the cause of death.
“Animals are good at hiding illness,” said Baumer. A second bird showed signs of illness and is currently off exhibit with a companion bird. “Our keepers monitor our animals’ health daily and noticed the birds were not acting normal. Unfortunately even with supportive care we were unable to save one bird.” The zoo says keepers, curators and veterinarians continue to monitor the health and well being of the colony.
The bird was part of a newly formed colony of Humboldt penguins, which is made up of penguins from eight different Zoos & Aquariums across the country. The Humboldt penguin colony made its debut to Zoo visitors on Friday, May 25. The zoo says, nearly 19,000 people visited the Cessna Penguin Cove over Memorial weekend.
Update: The cause of death has been identified as Avian Malaria.
Oceans at the Indianapolis Zoo opens this Saturday
Opening on May 26, Oceans presented by Old National Bank is an experience Zoo visitors will not want to miss. As the name implies, the focus is those huge bodies of sea water that cover seven tenths of our world, and which are collectively refer to as the oceans. The former World of Waters Building closed in August 2006 to begin its transformation into the new exhibit. Zoo visitors who were familiar with the building as it was will find that walls and ceilings have been blown apart, pathways have been rearranged and even floors have been changed in their elevation.
When visitors reach the returning penguin exhibit, they will notice a transparent panel beneath their feet that allows them to see (and appreciate the speed) of the penguins as they “fly” underwater from one side of the exhibit to the other. Zoo visitors most certainly will be very glad to have the penguins back from their “vacation” in Texas, and they’re bringing home an addition to the flock – a baby Gentoo penguin (the first born from the Indianapolis Zoo gentoo flock) that has thrived in his temporary home.
[Text Credit: Indianapolis Zoo]
[Update 05/30/07: Found a video with some pictures of the new renovation]
African Penguins arrive at the Florida Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium has recently received four additional African penguins to join the brother and sister duo currently appearing during the Penguin Promenade. These African penguins are juveniles so they are not fully grown yet. What’s more? They need names! The aquarium is holding an online naming contest which begins today, May 23 at 10am and continues through to the end of the month. You can vote at their web site among the listed names. The names are in pairs so you can’t mix them up.
- Mandela & Samora
- Mfana & Tutu
- Rocky & Pebbles
- Cliff & Shelly
- Danny & Cher
- Ping & Pong
Penguin controlled home?
Leave it to the Japanese to create a home environment control panel to not only help you control your electrical consumption but also allow it to be controlled by penguins. I don’t have much information on this product but it looks very interesting. These little guys will let you know if you’re doing a good job in keeping your power consumption down or berate you anime-style if you’re being a energy hog.
Penguin Geek 