Penguins Coming To Rolling Hills

- Wed 05:42 AM 10/24/2012

Penguin Landing will feature six live African Penguins.

A new species is coming to Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure.

According to the organization, a traveling exhibit featuring live penguins will be on display from April through September of 2013.

Penguin Landing will create a unique opportunity for visitors to get up close and personal with African penguins. Guests can also learn about the plight of penguins in the wild, what conservation efforts are currently taking place to preserve their future, and what they can do to help wild penguins.

The penguin habitat will feature six temperate (warm-weather) penguins. The habitat was carefully designed to meet the recommended requirements set by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums penguin Taxon Advisory Group.

Penguin Landing will be located in the Earl Bane Gallery within the wildlife museum. Because it will be in the 2,000-square-foot gallery, it will always be a good day to visit the penguins, regardless of the weather.

Also in the exhibit area will be an interactive touch screen computer that will allow visitors to explore the world of penguins along with a multitude of interactive and educational displays. Rolling Hills staff will be present during exhibit hours and feedings to answer questions and provide insight into the life of the penguins.

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.

The Grand Opening is currently scheduled for Saturday, April 20, 2013. Once open, the exhibit will be accessible seven days a week, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., until Memorial Day weekend, when public hours expand to 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The exhibit is scheduled to close on September 30, 2013.

Exhibited in the Earl Bane Gallery, Penguin Landing will be included in the admission to Rolling Hills Zoo and Museum.

Rolling Hills is currently seeking community support to help underwrite the exhibit. For information on partnership packages for Penguin Landing, contact Vickee Spicer, Director of Development and Marketing, at 785-827-9488 extension 131 or e-mail vickee@rollinghillswildlife.com.

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