The 'Penguin Plunge' exhibit at Perth Zoo was officially opened

3/7/99
Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes today opened the 'Penguin Plunge' - a new state-of-the-art exhibit of Perth Zoo's popular Little Penguins.
The new exhibit replaces their former home which was originally built in the 1960s to house the Black Swans.
The new exhibit, with 50,000 litres of filtered salt water, features underwater viewing, a beach, reef and rookery.
The penguins will share their habitat with Black Bream, Blue Manna Crabs and seven other species of marine birds. A range of coastal plants in and around the exhibit helps create an authentic habitat.
Mrs Edwardes said the new exhibit was set to be an important new showpiece of Perth Zoo's Australian Walkabout and was sure it would be popular with all zoo visitors.
"This new exhibit is particularly exciting as the Little Penguins are a particular favourite among visitors to Perth Zoo," the Minister said.
"For the first time visitors will have the opportunity to see the way penguins 'fly' underwater and observe their behaviour in a marine habitat.
"The zoo's education staff have also developed new educational programs aimed at giving students a better understanding of the threats facing penguins and positive actions that will help preserve them in the wild."
Mrs Edwardes praised Western Australian company Peters and Brownes for the support they had given the zoo as major sponsors of the Peters and Brownes Penguin Plunge.
"It is through partnerships with sponsors like Peters and Brownes - along with continued Government support of Perth Zoo's business plan - that has led to the continued development of world class exhibits like the Penguin Plunge," the Minister said.
Mrs Edwardes said the zoo's recent award as the Best Major Attraction at the Western Australian Tourism Awards was testimony to the quality of Perth Zoo that was only improved by the new Penguin Exhibit.
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