StL Zoo’s Humboldt Penguins on the move for construction

August 20, 2013, by Kim Hudson,

ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI) – Well, if the Humboldt penguin is your favorite animal at the St. Louis Zoo, we have some bad news.  The birds were scheduled to move Tuesday.

 In a statement, the zoo stressed that this was not a “goodbye” to the Humboldt penguins, but more of a “see you later”.  Some major construction is on the way to the park.

The Humboldt penguins will move to a behind-the-scenes holding area.  Until 2015, they were scheduled to live in the backstage pools of the former Sea Lion Arena.  It was all an effort to keep them safe during construction of the brand-new McDonnell Polar Bear Point exhibit.  The work would require the eventual — but temporary — closing of the Penguin and Puffin Coast.

For visitors who love the Humboldt penguin, zoo officials promised the birds would live in style and safety.  Zookeepers said the animals will swim in a 6,000-gallon pool at their new temporary home.  They will have access to a 9,000-gallon pool, and would be watched by the men and women responsible for making sure water environments are optimal for the entire zoo.

Other penguin species would move, too.  The schedule had yet to be announced.

http://www.stlzoo.org/visit/thingstoseeanddo/thewild/penguinpuffincoast/
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