ZSL London Zoo to open largest ever penguin pool

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More than 100 penguins will flock to ZSL London Zoo this summer with the opening of England’s largest ever penguin pool.

Penguin Beach, the Zoo’s brand new flagship exhibit for 2011, will be home to nearly 150 Macaroni and Humboldt penguins when it opens on the 27th May.

The new penguin pool will be four times bigger and three times deeper than the South American bird’s current one - making a splash with both penguins and visitors.

Holding more than 450,000 litres of water the pool will include underwater viewing areas where visitors can see the birds diving for their food and a seating area for the Zoo’s famous penguin feeds.

A ‘penguin experience area’ will give penguin fans the chance to meet the famous birds allowing visitors to get closer than ever before.

An interactive game and replica field station will also feature in the exhibit, where visitors can see the fascinating climate change research ZSL’s resident penguinologist does in Antarctica.

ZSL’s Director General, Ralph Armond says: “Penguins have a long history at ZSL London Zoo, having been here permanently for the last 150 years.

“They are one of our most popular animals, with over eight million people visiting them in the last 10 years. Our penguin pools have always played a significant part in the Zoo’s history and we are very excited about creating them an amazing home for their future.”

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Editorial Notes:

Penguin Beach is a £2m redevelopment of the Zoo's penguin pool, and will be home to Macaroni and Humboldt penguins. With a pool that's four times bigger and three times deeper than the current pool, the new development, which will have enough space for 150 penguins, promises to make a splash with visitors. Holding more than 450,000 litres of water, the new pool will include underwater viewing areas for visitors to see penguins diving for food, a seating area for our renowned penguin feeds, interactive games and displays and a replica field station where visitors can see the fascinating research our resident Penguinologist carries out in Antarctica. The exhibit will open on the 27th May 2011.

Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity: the key role is the conservation of animals and their habitats. The Society runs ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, carries out scientific research in the Institute of Zoology and is actively involved in field conservation in other countries worldwide. For further information please visit www.zsl.org