Penguinarium containing Humboldt penguins in Prague Zoo

A penguinarium is a vivarium for penguins intended to simulate aspects of their natural environment.[1]

Penguinariums date back at least to 1968, when the Detroit Zoo opened the first in North America and possibly the world.[2][3] The Detroit penguinarium was expanded in 2015 with a US$21 million overhaul funded in part by a US$10 million donation, the largest in the zoo's history, from a single donor.[3] In April 2016, the Polk Penguin Conservation Center opened at the Detroit Zoo becoming the world's largest penguinarium.[4] However, the exhibit temporarily closed in 2019 for waterproofing repairs as the penguins were moved back into the 1968 exhibit. The conservation center reopened on February 14, 2022.[5]

As of 2005, the world's second largest penguinarium was located on the Spanish island of Tenerife, where twelve tons of artificial snow were generated daily for the penguins at Loro Parque aquarium.[6]

References

  1. ^ King, R.J. (June 2013). "A Really Cool Plan: Detroit Zoo unveils plan to build new $20-million penguin exhibit". Hour Magazine. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  2. ^ Domm, Robert W. (2009). Michigan Yesterday & Today. Voyageur Press. p. 102. ISBN 978-1-61673-138-0.
  3. ^ a b "Detroit zoo floats plan for $21m 'Penguinarium' to open in 2015". The Guardian. Associated Press in Royal Oak. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  4. ^ "Detroit Zoo gives 1st look inside new penguin home". Detroit Free Press. 13 April 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Detroit Zoo reopens penguin exhibit for the first time since 2019". Detroit Free Press. 20 February 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  6. ^ "Bill Clinton Aims for a Birdie in the Canaries". Hello Magazine. 25 July 2005. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
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