26 Aug Saving through SAFE
One of our beloved residents at the zoo are our African Penguins. We have 8 African Blackfooted Penguins! Our males are banded on the right wing, including Lucky (green), Dyer (orange), Ronde (red), Howard (yellow), and Moose (beaded multi-colored band). Our females are banded on the left wing, and they include Adasha (purple), Aurora (pink), and Lola (blue).
African penguins first came to the zoo back in 1997. Each of our penguins have their own unique personality. These penguins are actually warm weather temperate animals, and are native to the southern coast of Africa. Here in Binghamton, when the weather gets below 40 degrees, they prefer to stay indoors. When it’s hotter outside, they can cool off using the misters we have installed on the outside of their building, or in the large pool they have.
These penguins are protected but face threats from climate change and lack of food due to overfishing. The best way to help out African Penguins is to protect our oceans. If you consume seafood, look out for seafood watch guides, such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Program. The zoo supports organizations like the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) that are involved in African Penguin in-situ conservation, meaning they are directly involved in saving the species where they are found in the wild.
To continue our care of not only the individuals here at the zoo but for the species as a whole, Ross Park Zoo is now a part of the African Penguin SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) Program as a part of AZA. Through SAFE, we join together with organizations all over the world to tackle conservation initiatives for the African PEenguin not only in our own community but globally as well!.
By visiting Ross Park Zoo and supporting our conservation efforts, you contribute directly to the well-being of our African Penguins and their species worldwide. Together, let’s safeguard these incredible animals for future generations!
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