File photo of Judy Seabrook of Jackson and her grandson, Drew Lambert, 4, visiting the the Penguin Plunge exhibit on during Zoo Day 2009 at the Jackson Zoo.

(Greg Jenson/The Clarion-Ledger)

Penguins extend stay in Jackson

By Sherry Lucas • slucas@jackson.gannett.com • August 20, 2009

The special exhibit Penguin Plunge at the Jackson Zoo continues to plant its webbed feet in town through Sept. 27.

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The exhibit of six black-footed penguins originally was scheduled to end in mid-August, but has been held over.

The Jackson Zoo saw a boost in attendance last spring from the show, zoo director Beth Poff said.

"We thought we'd try to give people the opportunity to see them with the weather below 90 degrees or so the next few weeks," Poff said. "Plus, it's something fun for the kids” on weekends now that school's starting.

It's also easier for the penguins to be returned to their Baltimore Zoo home in late September than in August, she said.

The penguins are sometimes referred to as "jackass penguins" because of the braying-donkey tune of their mating song.

Zoo summer hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, continue until Sept. 7.

Source:

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20090820/FEAT/90820023/Penguins-extend-stay-in-Jackson