Calgary Zoo Arctic Shores cancelled / Penguin Plunge goes ahead

I don't think the zoo knows what species yet, however the plan on acquire 4 species I think from the Antarctic and sub arctic regions of the world.
 
if they are subAntarctic penguins I would hazard a guess at king, rockhopper, gentoo and....I guess macaroni (or maybe chinstrap).

Taccachantrieri said:
As far as the high costs are concerned they do not surprise me too much. Most of that money will go towards the building structure, visitor walkways with underwater viewings, filtration systems for the water, temperature regulators, mock rock, and extensive air filtration systems that help prevent fungal infections.
Click to expand...
From the picture in the link the exhibit appears to be entirely outdoors though! Is that right, or is there more than I am discerning? In relation to this, what's the climate like in Calgary in summer?
 
No, there will be an indoor and outdoor exhibit. The climate controlled building will house antarctic penguins in the summer and the outdoors the sub antarctic in the summer. In the winter they will be swapped. The climate in Calgary can be warm or even reach the 30's? Not too sure I don't live there, search it for more accurate info.
 
The weather is fairly irregular here in the summer. A number of years ago July 31st was 30 and August 1st was snowing. In general in the summer it would be low to mid 20's in the middle of the day, cooling off to low teens at night. Then again it is not unusual to gat a week or two of low 30's in the summer.
 
The Calgary Zoo will be exhibiting king, rockhopper, gentoo and Humboldt penguins. Humboldt penguins will be outside for part of the summer and the king penguins will be outside for part of the remainder of the year. Indoors the penguin complex will cover an area just shy of 20,000 sf. The penguin exhibit is being built in the North side of the zoo. It will be located in between the Canadian Wilds and the Prehistoric Park. In addition to the penguin exhibit/complex, a giftshop will be built to replace the current giftshop buildings in this area.
 
I'm confused, will there be two seperate exhibits, or one with both outdoor and indoor indoor areas. The selection of birds is exciting, and it is intresting how they will be moved in accordance to their heat tolerance. Do you know if this is done any where else?

In terms of placement, do you mean where the current discovery center is?
 
Spheniscus sp., like Humboldt penguins, have different optimum air temperatures than the other penguins to be exhibited at the Calgary Zoo. King penguins, gentoo penguins, and rockhopper penguins all have similiar optimum indoor air temperatures. To accommodate the different needs of their penguins the Calgary Zoo's indoor exhibit will be split into at least two separate exhibits. the outdoor exhibit will be connected to both indoor exhibits.
 
That is a very logical, and interesting way around being able to provide the best conditions possible. I think that the exhibit will be amazing during the winter and wait with bated breath for construction to begin.
 
Look what I found:

Calgary Zoo Penguin Exhibit - 3D Animation, 2009



I thought that the building was supposed to be around 20,000 sf. There doesn't appear to be much indoor exhibit space in this video and there appears to be only one indoor enclosure. Based on a previous design drawing I was also expecting much more extensive glass viewing on the floor of the walkway. A design drawing of the outdoor exhibit that was released to the media a while ago looked better IMO than the design of the outdoor spaces seen in this video.


The 24.5 million dollar price tag also include a giftshop and outdoor plaza.

This exhibit will probably open in the fall of 2011 to coincide with the opening of the Telus World of Science Centre, which will be located very close to the main entrance of the Calgary Zoo.
ImagineAction - The New Science Centre Project 2011. TELUS World of Science - Calgary
 
Nice video link! The $160 million Science Centre combined with the Calgary Zoo's already robust attendance (1.1 million?) means that those attractions will be jammed with visitors once the new additions open to the public.
 
I really like the conecpt of the place and the design looks great!
 
They are aiming for LEED gold certification on this new addition. That will not be easy considering most of the building will be maintained at +7 degrees Celsius.

It will be quite enjoyable to walk through such a cold exhibit in the summer when the temperature outside is 30 degrees Celsius.
 
I will be going tomorrow morning for a sneak peek.

I know a few people that have seen them already and from the sounds of things all is in good order.

I will take lots of pictures and post the ASAP
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top