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Construction Blog
NEW EXHIBIT OPENING MARCH 21, 2009!
February 24, 2009 -
As exhibit nears completion, the penguins “fly” in!
The Penguin’s habitat inside Penguin Planet is complete and waiting for the penguins to make their first splash — tonight! Construction of the exhibit space continues and is on track for grand opening March 21, 2009! Be sure to reserve your spot at the Member's Grand Opening Night Celebration and the Penguins 'n Pajamas Family Sleepover soon - space is filling up fast!
February 16, 2009 -
Habitat comes to completion
The new exhibit continues to progress on time and the penguins have booked their flight to Charleston!
Penguin Planet construction is well under way and the bird’s habitat is almost complete! The exhibits walls are built, the enclosure is in place, and the interactive areas are creatively forming as we write. The Penguin Planet water quality system arrived in parts last week and the detailed work of building this filtration system is complete. The system is up and running allowing for the water to be thoroughly filtered prior to the penguin’s first plunge!
There is an excitement in the air throughout the Lowcountry as we get close to the penguins' arrival February 24th. The 4 birds will be flying in from San Diego California to Charleston on Tuesday evening, and will be greeted at the airport by our animal care staff. We'll keep you posted on their travels. And remember, mark your calendars for Penguin Planet’s opening March 21st. (Or better yet, buy your membership now so you can enjoy the member’s only sneak peek March 20th before the exhibit opens) Bon voyage little birds!
Penguin enclosure and wall towards the front of the exhibit
Wall to the right of the enclosure, where interactive components and signage
will soon be incorporated
Penguin Enclosure facing towards the rear of the exhibit
January 14, 2009 - Moving Day! At 9:30 a.m., the structure was lifted by crane onto the Aquarium’s Riverside terrace from a barge. Set on coasters, the structure rolled into the Aquarium through a 12 x 14 foot opening created by the removal of windows and aluminum framing near the Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Café. It was a tight corner!
After another tight squeeze around the escalator, the new exhibit rolled into place in it's new home next to Camp Carolina on the first floor.
Upon completion, the new Penguin Planet exhibit will feature 500 square feet of covered exhibit space and be home to Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus). Completed, the exhibit will weight over 30,000 pounds! The experience, set to open in March will be a temporary exhibit, visiting through March 2010.
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