COLORADO SPRINGS — The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo announced Saturday the arrival of five African penguins at the zoo.
The zoo said the birds will be the first inhabitants of the zoo's newest exhibit, Water's Edge: Africa.
Four of the penguins, a mom and dad pair named Safara and Alex, and their two sons, Rudo and Rufaro, came to Colorado Springs from San Francisco. The other penguin, a female named Pomona, made a short trip down I-25 from her previous home at the Denver Zoo.
The five penguins arrived at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Friday morning and immediately began exploring their new home, the zoo said. They will spend the next few weeks acclimating to their new home and welcoming additional African penguins from around the country.
According to the zoo, African penguins are from the southern parts of Africa and compared to their cousins from Arctic regions, enjoy warmer temperatures like we have in Colorado. They are on the smaller side and can be identified by pink markings around their eyes and white chests with black spots.
The zoo is currently closed until further notice, but the construction of the new exhibit, Water's Edge: Africa continues.
