February 18, 2015
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Photo courtesy Ray Meibaum/Saint Louis Zoo The horned puffin is one of the two puffin species that is inside at Penguin & Puffin Coast.
Penguin & Puffin Coast set to reopen at the Saint Louis Zoo By Sara Hardin Something exciting is happening at Saint Louis Zoo that lovers of birds and animals of all types should be happy to know about – the re-opening of Penguin & Puffin Coast. The exhibit has been closed since September 2013 to allow room for construction of McDonnell Polar Bear Point, which is next door to the penguin habitats. “We know our visitors have been missing the penguins since we closed for construction of McDonnell Polar Bear Point about a year and a half ago,” said Michael Macek, curator of birds for Saint Louis Zoo. “We’re happy to have the visitors back to see these interesting sea birds.” The popularity of Penguin & Puffin Coast makes its re-opening nothing short of a celebration, complete with a penguin parade the morning the doors once again become open to the public. “Since we opened the exhibit in 2003, it has been one of the zoo’s most popular exhibits when we survey our visitors,” said Macek. “Penguins are cute and interesting birds and very popular in pop culture. When our visitors walk into Penguin & Puffin Coast, they can see, hear and smell the penguins and sometimes get splashed, which makes for a memorable experience. On re-opening day, March 5 at 10:30 a.m., a few of our Gentoo and king penguins will walk in a parade line with their keepers from just outside the exhibit leading the visitors
inside.” Macek explained that special measures are taken to ensure the birds’ comfort in their habitat, which includes careful observation of the exhibit’s lighting and temperature. “Because penguins are from the Southern Hemisphere and puffins are from the Northern Hemisphere, we have to adjust the lighting throughout the year to reflect the change in seasons. You’ll see that it’s currently brighter on the penguin side and darker on the puffin side. The indoor exhibit is kept at 45-50 degrees year-round, so in the summer when you walk in, it’s a blast of cold air. We also have nature recordings of wind, ocean and animals playing to set the scene. There are rocky cliffs and waterfalls modeled after their shoreline habitats.” The same care is taken with the polar bears, and the new-and-improved McDonnell Polar Bear Point will include brand-new features to heighten the visitors’ experience and the comfort of the animals. “The spectacular new McDonnell Polar Bear Point, which has been under construction since fall of 2013, will open early this summer,” said David McGuire, William Bernoudy Vice President of Architecture and Planning at the Saint Louis Zoo. “The project occupies a 40,000-square-foot site and will offer visitors a variety of views, both above
and below water, including a massive 48-foot, curved glass panoramic viewing wall, where polar bears can come right up to great guests. The salt water polar dive pool features a 1,300-square-foot Arctic room with a four-panel underwater viewing wall.” The improved habitat will not only offer new and exciting views of the polar bears, but will provide a more comfortable area for the bears to live and breed under the zoo’s care. “It is critical that zoos protect polar bears, which are declining in the wild See WADDLING BACK page 2
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“The DUFF” photo courtesy of CBS Films
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