Tuxedos at the Dakota Zoo

We have watched the construction.  We helped raise money.   We waited for the new exhibit.  We got excited over the new residents we would see at the Dakota Zoo.  But the time has come, they have arrived.  The Dakota Zoo has Penguins!

Tuesday, September 21st, the place to be is the Dakota Zoo.  It's the opening date for the new African Penguin Exhibit.  The ribbon cutting will take place at 10:15 in the morning.   The exhibit sponsor, Capital Credit Union, will be handing out ice cream sandwiches and other goodies.

From the Dakota Zoo Facebook page:  The Dakota Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. (weather permitting) through September 26th. Special expanded "penguin hours" in October will be Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. (weather permitting).

I know that there are different kinds of penguins, so I googled to find out about our new residents...  this is what I found:

The African penguin, also known as the Cape penguin or South African penguin, is a species of penguin confined to southern African waters. Like all extant penguins, it is flightless, with a streamlined body and wings stiffened and flattened into flippers for a marine habitat. Adults weigh an average of 4.9–7.7 lbs and are 24–28 inches tall.

The penguins are carnivores and eat fish(anchovies, sardines, mackerel and herring), squid, krill and crab.  Penguins pair up and breed about age 4.  The male and female stay together for the rest of their lives.  Penguins live 10 to 27 years.

Make your plans, take your family and visit the Dakota Zoo.  Let's give our new residents a warm welcome!