@redpanda: it's funny that you mention that, as earlier this year I emailed the zoo and asked them the exact same question. I was told that the new Humboldt penguin exhibit IS the desert biome, as the penguin habitat is modeled on a Peruvian coastline. The idea of an actual desert building has been scrapped, and instead a brand-new entry is being constructed right next to the penguin enclosure. It is costing $7.5 million and opens in 6 months (May 2010). The penguin exhibit cost $6.5 million, and the new entry was always part of the combined $14 million project.
Doesn't seem very instinctive, if the only exhibit is a Peruvian coastal exhibit, to call it the 'Desert' biome. Why not just call it the 'Coastal' biome or similar? (Unless there is already (plans for) a separate coastal area, of course)
@redpanda: it's funny that you mention that, as earlier this year I emailed the zoo and asked them the exact same question. I was told that the new Humboldt penguin exhibit IS the desert biome, as the penguin habitat is modeled on a Peruvian coastline. The idea of an actual desert building has been scrapped, and instead a brand-new entry is being constructed right next to the penguin enclosure. It is costing $7.5 million and opens in 6 months (May 2010). The penguin exhibit cost $6.5 million, and the new entry was always part of the combined $14 million project.
How strange! Thanks for the answer though, I always thought that a desert house would have been rather a waste of money, seeing as it was only supposed to have small verterbrates.
