Mesker Park Zoo Adding Penguin Exhibit
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowMesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden in Evansville is expanding with a new exhibit. Our partners at WTVW/WEHT-TV report the zoo’s action plan includes a $5 million penguin exhibit to be added in the next three to five years.
The plan received support from Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke during his State of the City address. Zoo officials say the exhibit would be built at the zoo’s main entrance with an underwater viewing area.
The station reports funding has not yet been secured, but the zoo is moving forward on the project with either city or private money.
"We don’t have to invest a lot of money in its infrastructure for the outside," said Zoo Director Amos Morris. "We just have to have cold water, chilled water, and a good holding facility for managing sick animals, so it’s a good species for us to add to the zoo. It’s an exciting species. It has a lot of activity and motion."
Morris tells the station the zoo is about halfway through funding for its new carousel and aviary, which were announced in September. The zoo is still looking to raise the remainder of the $3 million needed for the projects.