JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—(March 3, 2010) — The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will officially open its new Magellanic penguin exhibit, Tuxedo Coast, on Friday, March 5, 2010.

The opening of Tuxedo Coast will officially begin at 10:30 a.m., and the public is invited to come see these penguins in action.  Known for their diving and fishing skills, these penguins are sure to please both children and adults alike.  Visitors to the new exhibit will be able to watch these penguins as they dive, fish and swim in their new home.  Penguin-themed entertainment, activities and prizes will make for a festive weekend for Zoo-goers.  Admission to Tuxedo Coast is included in the price of the regular Zoo admission ticket.

“We are so excited to finally let the public experience Tuxedo Coast.  Much hard work and time has been put in to making this exhibit ready for our new penguins, and we at the Zoo hope that visitors will come away with a wonderful experience and a deeper understanding of the Magellanic penguins,” said Tony Vecchio, Executive Director of Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. 

Magellanic penguins are not the type of penguins one might expect.  They come from South America and can be found off the coasts of Argentina, the Falkland Islands and Chile. They are one of the few species classified as “Temperate-weather penguins.”  These particular penguins that can be seen at the Zoo were hatched in the San Francisco Zoo and then transported to the Jacksonville Zoo.  There are five males and three females and range in size from 24 to 30 inches tall. 

Tuxedo Coast has been built to help the penguins feel as comfortable as possible at the Zoo.  The updated 2,800 square-foot exhibit was originally the home of the river otters and has since undergone extensive renovation, which cost the Zoo over $160,000.  The exhibit was designed to as closely resemble the penguins’ natural habitat as possible.  Visitors can expect to see the open, arid and rocky environment that Magellanic penguins in the wild are accustomed to.

    Tuxedo Coast features a 12,000-gallon diving tank for the penguins to continue their active lifestyle of diving and fishing.   Because Magellanic penguins are prone to mosquito-borne diseases, the addition of a large screen covering the area has been put in place to protect the penguins from mosquitoes.  Other additions to Tuxedo Coast include a misting and cooling system as well as water that will stay under 60 degrees to ensure the penguins’ ultimate comfort. 

“We at the Jacksonville Zoo are especially honored to give these Magellanic penguins a home since they have now been put on the Near-threatened List by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).  It is estimated that over 40,000 of these penguins die every year because of commercial fishing, hunting and the oil industry.  Our hope with this exhibit is to both help re-populate the species and also give our visitors a greater understanding of the situation the Magellanic penguins are experiencing,” said Geneve Darnell, supervisor of birds at Jacksonville Zoo.

Stingray Bay Celebrates Daily Reopening

February 27^th and 28^th with Sharks!

And a Special Discount Admissions Offer

February 23, 2010 - Jacksonville, Fl - Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is proud to announce that it’s Stingray Bay with Sharks! exhibit will be opening daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., beginning February 27^th.  This popular exhibit has been open on weekends only since mid-October, 2009.  Guests will now have more opportunities to interact with the stingrays by petting and feeding them as they swim in a 17,000-gallon pool.  Bamboo sharks have also been added to this interactive exhibit.   

Bamboo sharks are among the smallest sharks reaching a length of about 40 inches.  They are found in the Indo-Pacific region, from the east coast of the Indian Peninsula to northern Australia and north as far as Japan; they are also common in coral reefs.  Their diets consist of small fish and crustaceans, and they are harmless to humans, making them a great addition to Stingray Bay.

 This temporary exhibit will be open through September of this year, with a reduced admission price of $2 per person and $1 for members.  Food for the stingrays can be purchased for $1.

 Also, on February 27^th and 28^th only, the Zoo is teaming up with Dignity U Wear to offer a $2 discount on Zoo admission for each person that brings in one ore more new packages of children’s underwear.  These donations will go to needy children and families throughout the First Coast to help restore dignity and self-confidence to those in need.  “It’s great to have a partner like the Jacksonville Zoo and zoo visitors who realize they will be helping a great cause,” said Radha Weeder, director of development for Dignity U Wear.  For more information go to www.dignityuwear.org