Little Penguins have new home at Perth Zoo

• Perth Zoo penguins return to exhibit following major renovation works

• Works include infrastructure upgrade and new boardwalk

Perth Zoo's popular penguin colony has returned to the public eye following a major renovation of the zoo's Australian Wetlands and Penguin Plunge exhibits.

Environment Minister Bill Marmion today welcomed the penguins back to their home and encouraged visitors to come and see the Little Penguins in their upgraded facilities.

"The netting covering the Australian Wetlands and Penguin Plunge exhibits was severely damaged in the hail storm that battered Perth in March 2010," Mr Marmion said.

"A dedicated effort by staff after the storm helped stitch the netting back temporarily but it was too badly broken to remain long term.

"With State Government funding of $1.6million, the entire overhead netting and supporting infrastructure was replaced and additional work also done on a new visitor boardwalk, landscaping, water filtration systems and work on the penguin pool.

"During construction, the penguins spent several months at Melbourne Zoo where they were housed in a spare exhibit.  The penguins are a favourite at Perth Zoo and I am sure visitors will welcome their return."

The Australian Wetlands and Penguin Plunge exhibits are now open with a special penguin keeper talk and feed happening every day at 11am.

      Fact File

• The Australian Wetlands and Penguin Plunge exhibits feature 20 bird species including Little Penguins, Black Swan and Brolga

• Little Penguins found in coastal regions around southern Australia and NZ

• This is the first renovation of these exhibits undertaken since the Australian Wetlands opened in 1997 and the Penguin Plunge in 1999

• The Australian Wetlands exhibit reopened in February 2012

Minister's office - 6552 6800