I think it is important to note that the exhibit they're in currently was originally built as their holding building, not the actual exhibit itself. The outdoor exhibit next to it, which currently houses a pair of Trumpeter Swan, was originally the outdoor exhibit for the Penguins. From the rumors I've heard, some guy threw a coin into the outdoor exhibit a while back and that killed a Penguin, which prompted them to be housed only inside. However, times have changed and we now have ways to prevent this. While the indoor holding building is not ideal, the Penguins still have their welfare needs met, and the keepers do a much better job of keeping it clean as compared to the photo you took in '12. I have talked to Zoo staff, and they have told me that they have plans to renovate the exhibit (likely after the Lions as they'll probably create a new master plan), and that the renovation will include underwater viewing, and presumably, an outdoor habitat.
Thanks very much for the explanation and I appreciate learning about tiny details in regards to exhibits at the mid-sized, and rapidly improving, Great Plains Zoo. I still stand by my "abysmal" comment as this penguin exhibit is truly awful. The water is incredibly shallow and the birds cannot achieve any depth when swimming. The prominent drain along the water's edge is an eyesore, the tiled floor is straight out of the 1970s and the whole thing is puny. With so many terrific penguin exhibits in zoos across the USA, Great Plains has one of the very worst in the country.
@snowleopard I don't doubt that it's one of the worst as an exhibit, and I respect your opinion. However, I do cut the zoo some slack knowing that at the time, they weren't doing to well financially and, this was originally meant to be a holding building, which aren't as pretty as the exhibits of course. Furthermore, I think the GPZ has some great plans to renovate this later on, and so I will trust that they will improve it At least we can agree that the Moody Garden's Humboldt exhibit is, ironically, the worst in the country.
