Jackass Penguins are Flying About Their New Pool at Tanganyika Wildlife Park

Jackass Penguins are Flying About Their New Pool at Tanganyika Wildlife Park

By Matt Fouts

Goddard, KS - The Jackass Penguin Exhibit at Tanganyika Wildlife Park is the second penguin exhibit to open in the state of Kansas, and the first to display Jackass Penguins. The penguins have been residents at Tanganyika for well over a year, but they were confined to their indoor pool. “Their new outdoor pool is approximately 22,000 gallons and gives them plenty of room to “spread their wings” so to speak,” stated Matt Fouts, the Assistant Director.

The Jackass Penguins are also known as Black-footed or African Penguins. They are called Jackass Penguins because their vocalization sounds like a mule. The Jackass penguins come from Southern Africa and are cousins to the Humboldt penguins from South America. They are warm-weather penguins, which are much more common than arctic penguins. The Jackass penguins are listed by the IUCN as Vulnerable due to egg poaching and habitat disruption. In the early 1900’s their population was estimated to be around 1.5 million, but only 10% of them remain today.

The Jackass Penguin exhibit is the first new exhibit to open at Tanganyika Wildlife Park for the 2009 season. The Wildlife Park still has plans to open three more exhibits in 2009 including: Red Pandas, Clouded Leopards, and Snow Leopards. In addition, the camel ride will open by Memorial Day weekend and we will be adding a one or two more interactive exhibits.

Tanganyika Wildlife Park is an organization dedicated to the conservation of exotic and endangered species. The Park has been operating since 1986 and first opened to the public August 2nd, 2008. Tanganyika Wildlife Park is west of 183rd St on Maple. The Wildlife Park’s hours are 9:00-5:00 Daily. For more information on the Park, please visit www.twpark.com.

Tanganyika Wildlife Park
1037 S 183rd St W
Goddard, KS 67052
www.twpark.com

To view Tanganyika Wildlife Park's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to: http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-775-Tanganyika_Wildlife_Park

Source:

http://www.zandavisitor.com/newsarticle-1450-Jackass_Penguins_are_Flying_About_Their_New_Pool_at_Tanganyika_Wildlife_Park