News Summary
The Roger Williams Park Zoo is set to celebrate the grand opening of its new penguin exhibit, ‘Penguin Point,’ during Memorial Day weekend. The exhibit features 12 Humboldt penguins, relocated from Peru. The opening will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an engaging event called ‘Penguin Palooza’ with various activities for families. This marks the return of penguins to the zoo after a decade-long absence and aims to raise awareness about the endangered Humboldt penguins.
Providence, RI – The Roger Williams Park Zoo will mark the grand opening of its new penguin exhibit, “Penguin Point,” during Memorial Day weekend. The celebration will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday morning, welcoming guests to explore the latest addition to the zoo.
This new exhibit is home to a colony of 12 Humboldt penguins, a species notable for their quirky and sun-loving nature. The penguins have moved into a redesigned area that was once used to house harbor seals. The last of the seals, known as Bubba, vacated this enclosure in the fall of 2022 after the loss of his companion Action several years prior in 2019. After the renovated space became available, the Humboldt penguins were transported from Peru and are now acclimating to their new surroundings.
On May 24, the zoo will host “Penguin Palooza,” an engaging event from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., aimed at introducing the public to the penguins. Families can participate in various activities including feeding sessions, zookeeper talks, and penguin-themed crafts. In case of inclement weather, the event will be postponed to May 25.
Humboldt penguins typically weigh around 9 pounds and stand between 15 to 18 inches tall. Their diet consists of fish, squid, and crustaceans. Once thriving with over a million individuals in the mid-19th century, these penguins are now classified as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with an estimated population of just 12,000 breeding pairs left in the wild. The primary threats faced by Humboldt penguins include overfishing, accidental captures in fishing nets, climate change, and the destruction of nesting sites due to guano harvesting.
This marks the return of penguins to the Roger Williams Park Zoo after an absence that dates back to 2013. The zoo is now one of only 24 facilities in North America that are actively caring for Humboldt penguins. The zoo’s team is optimistic that the penguins will quickly adapt to the warm summers typical in Rhode Island, ensuring their comfort and well-being during the summer season.
Beyond providing a new attraction, the zoo’s initiative aims to contribute positively to the conservation of Humboldt penguins, promoting awareness of their vulnerable status and fostering a healthy and genetically diverse population through educational outreach and conservation efforts.
The public is invited to join this exciting new chapter at Roger Williams Park Zoo as they open their doors to the charming Humboldt penguins this Memorial Day weekend.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Fun 107
- Wikipedia: Humboldt Penguin
- Patch
- Google Search: Humboldt penguins
- Providence Journal
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Penguin
- WPRI
- Google News: Roger Williams Park Zoo
- Boston Globe
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
