WACO, Texas — The Cameron Park Zoo in Waco has a few new residents for Central Texans to meet, 22 of them to be exact.
On Thursday, Aug. 8, the zoo officially opened its much-awaited Gloria & FM Young Penguin Shores exhibit, introducing the 22 South African black-footed penguins that will call it home.
According to the zoo, Penguin Shores is now host to the largest colony of African penguins in Texas, with only ten other zoos in the United States hosting colonies with more than 22 penguins.
The colony, dubbed the "Waco Waddlers", according to the City of Waco, is made up of 11 pairs of penguins, Shirley and Tom, Rita and Mauri, Daisy and Sinclair, Thumper and Sprocket, Possum and Finley, Dottie and Little Jim, Newton and Cosmo, Flapjack and Frankie, Rosie and Rupert, Sushi and Theodore and Winnie and Maple.
African black-footed penguins typically stand between 24-28 inches tall and weigh anywhere from around five to 11 pounds, according to the City of Waco. The pattern of stripes on their chests are reportedly all unique, similar to human fingerprints!
The City says the penguins are classified as endangered, and the zoo is providing a safe haven for them with the help of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums' Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) program in hopes to inspire conservation efforts.
In addition to the guests of honor, the Penguin Shores exhibit also features a pool and rock structure for the penguins, an exhibit area for Smidgen the black-footed cat, canopies, a shaded plaza and South African-inspired murals painted by high school students and community members through Creative Waco's ArtPrenticeship program.
The City of Waco thanked the Zoological and Botanical Society, McLennan County and all of the donors who helped make the exhibit possible.
More information on the exhibit can be found at this link.
For more on the Cameron Park Zoo, visit their website at this link.
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