African Penguins Return to Lowry Park Zoo

TAMPA, FL — Visitors to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo who just can’t get enough of the African penguins have reason to celebrate. The zoo has announced that 11 birds have returned to their habitat and they’ve brought a new friend, Marcus.

The critters from the zoo’s Penguin Beach were on an extended “staycation” during an ongoing renovation project, the zoo explained Friday. The colony has a new member, too. Marcus is a 1-year-old male from California who is the intended future mate of Tyra.

“We are doubling our commitment to African penguins with a new conservation center which encompasses animal care and educational components,” said Dr. Larry Killmar, Chief Zoological Officer, Senior Vice President and Zoo Director. “The expanded penguin campus will help us do what we do best -- provide excellent animal care for this endangered species and educate our guests about the needs and perils of the wild population.”

The new 750-square-foot building is meant to provide more opportunities for penguin pairing, mating and nesting, a media release said. The center is also hoped to improve zoo staff’s ability to care for any future offspring.

Penguin Beach opened in 2007 and has witnessed the successful hatching of nine chicks since then. The zoo is home to Florida’s only breeding colony of African penguins.

Visitors to the new Penguin Beach campus will find the education center features a number of displays meant to cast a spotlight on the plight of African penguins. Guests can also learn more about individual colony members. In the future, the zoo also plans to add a behind-the-scenes guided tour where visitors can meet a member of the penguin care team and have a close-up encounter.

To find out more about Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo and its Penguin Beach, visit it online. Florida residents who visit the zoo will find a discount special is ongoing just for them through Sept. 30.

Photo of Marcus courtesy of Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo