That cute little waddle, that sleek bod, those superior diving skills, the tiny wings… penguins are simply irresistible. For lovers of all things penguin, the Detroit Zoo’s Polk Penguin Conservation Center is an amazing destination that’s well worth the trip. The facility has been closed since September 2019 for waterproofing repairs, and now it’s open again with some sleek new features that offer even more interaction with these majestic creatures.
The exhibit is a 326,000-gallon, 25-foot-deep aquatic area that already has amazing views of the penguins. Upgrades include repainted rock surfaces, more nesting areas (more penguin babies!) and more snow machines to keep things chilly for the cold-loving birds. The highlight of the upgraded exhibit is a section of glass flooring so you can see the penguins swimming below your feet.
Designed to encourage the penguins to let it all hang out, the exhibit lets you see how penguins behave in the wild. You can see five species of penguin in action. More than 75 King, Rockhopper, Macaroni, Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins mingle, dive and swim around the space. The Chinstrap penguins are the latest addition, and have settled in nicely. In August of 2020, a king penguin hatched five new penguins for the first time in 20 years.
If you’re heading to Detroit to witness this penguin fiesta, you can purchase tickets here.
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