Abernathy, Ollie and Ralph are the newest inhabitants of the Columbian Park Zoo.
Local government officials, along with officials from the zoo and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. cut the ribbon Friday on the zoo's new $60,000 owl exhibit.
Barn owls Abernathy and Ollie as well as Ralph the turkey vulture will call the 350 square-foot enclosed exhibit home. It features the three birds, all Indiana natives, among numerous trees and branches.
SIA and Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America donated the full amount for the exhibit.
"We wouldn't have this exhibit behind me if it were not for their generosity," said Claudine Laufman, the zoo's director.
"We're very pleased and proud to sponsor this exhibit," said Tom Easterday, senior vice president at SIA.
Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski called the exhibit "a tremendous opportunity for the community," and said that the zoo is a community economic development tool in its ability to provide family enjoyment and give children and others an opportunity to learn.
SIA "is a big important part of our economic landscape," Roswarski said, noting the company's numerous donations to various projects around the community.
Barn owls "are endangered in our state due to loss of habitat," Laufman said.
The turkey vulture came to the zoo from a rehabilitator, Laufman said. The exhibit is located in the zoo's Americas area.
The exhibit, which took several weeks to construct, is part of the zoo's ongoing, multimillion-dollar renovation that is being done in steps as money is made available, Laufman said.
"We're working on several projects right now," Laufman said. She said the Americas area will also eventually include North American river otters and Galapagos tortoises.
