Perth penguins home again

Michelle Wheeler, The West Australian May 8, 2012

Nicole Longhi, Perth Zoo's senior penguin keeper. Picture: Lee Griffith/The West Australian

Perth Zoo's little penguins have a new home with the opening of a $2.5 million upgrade to their enclosure.

Eight penguins were moved to Melbourne Zoo for the renovations after the March 2010 hailstorm damaged netting in their exhibit.
Perth Zoo's senior penguin keeper Nicole Longhi said the little penguins went "straight in" to their upgraded surrounds.

"They were really, really happy to get into the pool and pretty much haven't been out too much since," she said.
The upgrade to the Australian Wetlands and Penguin Plunge exhibits involved replacing mesh netting, improving the surface of the penguin pool and rebuilding the boardwalk in the wetlands.
Ms Longhi said the penguins ranged in age from four to about 15 and the zoo was hoping for some chicks later in the year.

"It's just the start of breeding season now, so we definitely plan to let our penguins breed," she said.
Environment Minister Bill Marmion said the penguins were popular and he encouraged people to visit them in their new home.

"Certainly my family like to come and see the penguins and I'm sure that's the same with lots of other people," he said.
A penguin keeper talk and feeding is on every day at at 11am.

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