Actually, the former river otter space previously held white pelicans, gulls and other shore birds. While training in 1985 I would feed them on occasion. The former penguin space was located just before reaching the old American alligator pond, home to Methusaleh for many years. The former penguin space was last occupied by Chinese alligators before construction began on LAIR.
Thanks for the clarification, Blackduiker. I remember seeing penguins there only on my first visit to the LA Zoo in 1989. Later it became a capybara exhibit and then the Chinese alligator as you mentioned.