FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Photo Available Upon Request)
For more information, contact:
John Chapo
President/CEO, Lincoln Children’s Zoo
402.475.6741 x125
jchapo@lincolnzoo.org
Waddle Be Next at the Zoo?
LINCOLN, Neb. (February 25, 2010) – The Lincoln Children’s Zoo is excited to announce they have been chosen to be one of only 16 zoos in the country to care for one of the rarest of the penguin species–the Humboldt penguin. Humboldt penguins are one of the few penguin species that prefer warmer climates as they originate from the coasts of Peru and Chile. The Zoo has been approved to acquire 4-6 breeding pairs of penguins.
There are only 292 endangered Humboldt penguins in the United States. In 2009, only 20 Humboldt penguin chicks were born in those zoos. It is estimated there are approximately 25,000 or fewer Humboldt penguins remaining in the wild. Humboldts suffered greatly during the El Niños and remained endangered due to humans disrupting their habitats and the fishing industry.
“For smaller zoos such as ours, it often takes years to demonstrate the exceptional care we can provide to highly sought after animals,” said John Chapo, President/CEO of the Lincoln Children’s Zoo. “Because of our exemplary record of successfully breeding endangered animals such as the tree kangaroo and red panda, the leaders of the Humboldt Penguin Species Survival Plan not only approved us to acquire penguins, but instilled an enormous amount of trust in allowing us to acquire the rarest penguin species on earth. We are excited about taking an active role in saving this endangered species from extinction.”
Being approved to acquire the birds is only part of the story. The Zoo must now embark on a fundraising endeavor to raise $300,000 to create a new Humboldt Penguin Habitat. This new habitat will be located at the former harbor seal pool. “Building a completely new exhibit and pool from the ground up would cost nearly $2 million,” said Chapo. “We felt it was more prudent to utilize the current infrastructure of the seal pool in order to reduce exhibit expenses and make this dream of bringing penguins to Lincoln a reality.”
When fully funded, the habitat will include:
• expanded public viewing opportunities
• off exhibit facility for the penguins, including a large gathering room for group educational opportunities
• an extended rocky beach allowing the penguins to hop from rock to rock
• a large mural gracing the back of the exhibit featuring an ocean image off the coast of Chile
The Zoo has raised $50,000 toward this project and is seeking additional financial support. Naming opportunities for individuals, corporations and foundations begin at $75,000.
The Humboldt Penguin Habitat will be the first new construction of an exhibit that will feature a new species to the Zoo in 10 years. “Because the Zoo has given so much to the community over the past 45 years, we know there are people who will be excited about supporting this new exhibit,” said Chapo. “This exhibit will not only sustain this endangered species, but will also create a great deal of public enthusiasm, increase our attendance, and help sustain the Zoo for years to come.” Learn more about supporting this exhibit by visiting www.lincolnzoo.org and click on a “Place for Penguin.”
The Lincoln Children’s Zoo was established 45 years ago. One of only four children’s zoos in the country, the Lincoln Children’s Zoo’s mission is “to enrich lives through firsthand interaction with living things.” The Zoo continues to create an engaging environment for children in our community, while receiving no financial support from the city, county or the state. For more information on membership, weekly events, parties and giving opportunities, visit www.lincolnzoo.org.
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Photo credit: joelsartore.com
