The Calgary Zoo opened the largest permanent penguin exhibit in North America this week featuring four different species of the tuxedoed bird that's expected to draw thousands and raise awareness about their survival.
The exhibit that opened Friday cost $24.5 million and is located just inside the main entrance so visitors can check it out on the way in and out.
"We hope that a visit to Penguin Plunge will inspire people to care enough about penguins to learn what can be done to make a difference and help save them in the wild," said zoo president and CEO Clement Lanthier.
There are 46 penguins in the exhibit representing the four species: Humboldt, gentoo, king and the rockhopper. The birds came from different zoos across North America and from as far away as the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland.
Calgary Zoo biologist Dr. Malu Celli said the king "is the largest of the species" and hails from the "sub-Antarctic area."
The rockhoppers are one of the smaller species and almost have to hop to get around, Celli told CTV News.
The penguins have a rocky, realistic shoreline with a waterfall and diving pool outside, while inside is a rock and ice cavern habitat kept at a temperature of 7C.
Because penguins are susceptible to respiratory infections, their habitat must be kept extremely clean.
The zoo hopes the exhibit will mark a turnaround for the facility, after it was slammed in an external report over the deaths of several animals in recent years, including a wild goat, a baby elephant and dozens of stingrays.
"There's been a substantial refocus on what we're doing at the Calgary Zoo," said Dr. Jake Veasey, the zoo's director of animal care.
Zoo officials hope the penguins will reproduce as part of a survival plan for the birds.
The new exhibit is the second big announcement for the facility in recent weeks. Two giant pandas that will spend time in Canada on loan from China will stay at the zoo for five years after a stop in Toronto.
With a report from CTV's Alberta bureau chief Janet Dirks
