Rolling Hills Extends Penguin Viewing Hours

The stories are true! Those lovable stars of blockbuster movies like Happy Feet, March of the Penguins, and Mr. Popper’s Penguins, are coming to Rolling Hills Zoo this spring. Rolling Hills will be bringing Penguin Landing, a “live” traveling exhibit from April through September, that will create a unique opportunity for our visitors to get an up-close-and-personal experience with African, black-footed penguins. At Penguin Landing, visitors will learn more about the plight of penguins in the wild and the conservation efforts currently taking place to preserve their future existence. You will also learn what they can do to help wild penguins. Penguin Landing will be on exhibit in the Earl Bane Gallery within the wildlife museum starting April 20th. This 2,000-square-foot space is an ideal location for the exhibit. Because it is indoors, it will always be a comfortable for our visitors - regardless of outdoor climate. The exhibit will also have some great hands-activities that will be fun for everyone including a touch screen computer that allow you to explore the world of penguins, rubbing stations to make your own penguin artwork, a penguin “beach” to play in and build your own penguin habitat, and numerous photo opportunities for the whole family! A docent will be present during exhibit hours to answer questions, provide insight into the life of the penguins, and help monitor and maintain the public exhibit area. A special penguin gift shop will be located right outside the exhibit, so you can be sure to get a souvenir to take home with you. Make plans now to come to Penguin Landing – the penguins will only be here until September 30th! Historically, penguins have been hunted for their meat, feathers, fat, and eggs. Penguin droppings (guano) were highly valued as garden fertilizer. Layers of clay-like guano, hundreds of feet deep, were removed, depriving temperate penguins of nesting burrows. Penguin populations never fully recovered from these activities. Today there are new threats to penguins, and many species are in danger. While all 18 species of penguins are now legally protected from hunting and egg collecting, at least 10 of the species are still considered “at risk”. Education and awareness programs play a significant role in conservation. Penguin Landing will help the public make a direct connection with these amazing birds and learn more about the threats facing penguins, conservation efforts that are underway, and how they can make a difference. source