Wild wonders: Flip out over penguins at Cameron Park Zoo

By TONYA WARREN | Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR

When the long-awaited arrival of the South African black-footed penguins happened one bright and warm June day, one would’ve thought royalty had arrived in Waco. Forth Worth Zoo vans carefully caravaned down Interstate 35 holding 22 precious penguins in special crates that would soon begin making Cameron Park Zoo their new home. Personnel from both zoos carefully monitored the new arrivals, making sure they would acclimate well to their new surroundings.

Cameron Park Zoo opened its long-anticipated Gloria and FM Young Penguin Shores exhibit on Aug. 8, much to the delight of many visitors, including sandal-clad excited and squirming children jockeying to the entrance gates. Once inside, most high-tailed it over to the penguins, to give a warm Texas-sized welcome, complete with kiddo’s squealing and searching out each penguin’s distinctive markings. Each adult penguin has a distinctive ribbon of black baby fine feathers across their chest. It some, the ribbon might be more of an upside- down U shape, while others in the colony might have more of a squiggly chest marking. It’s also fun to note the different black spots or freckles on their chests: one penguin’s freckles will be mainly scattered around the chest, while its neighbor might be endowed with lighter colored freckles more on one side than the other. Their black webbed feet sport a bit of gray coloring.

Waco resident and Vanguard Prep School science teacher Patty Flowers was admiring these newest zoo residents, along with her daughter and young granddaughter. As her granddaughter sat on the small boulders next to the exhibit window watching penguins dive and glide, Flowers said, “This is such a beautiful exhibit and wonderful addition to our zoo, and I love how it’s accessible to the children.”

The exhibits have viewing areas the perfect height for even very young children, and of course, don’t miss Grammy Nell’s Playscape, a shaded park-like area in the zoo complete with a tree house slide, a climb on and run through play snake area and benches for parents to rest and watch kids expend lots of energy.

Between waddling, swimming and gliding through the water, it’s fun to try and figure out the name of each penguin. Each penguin has a small name bracelet on the upper flipper. There’s a name board at the exhibit denoting each penguin, their hatched date, which penguin they’re paired with, and other facts, like the names of their offspring or their favorite meal. This would be a fun little scavenger hunt to play with the kids, trying to figure out whose mate is whose, and which penguin is the youngest or oldest. With names like Shirley, Sprocket, Sushi, Frankie and more, you’re bound to fall in love with these adorable flightless birds.

According to a press release by the zoo, Waco has the largest colony of these penguins in Texas and there are only 10 other zoos in the country that host a colony with more than 22 penguins. Cameron Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. A large part of obtaining and maintaining membership in these overseeing organizations requires many hours of hard dedicated work. Of course, zoos are fun and educational, but there’s also much emphasis on public awareness and education on conservation of animals, especially those endangered species, like South African black-footed penguins.

The press release also offers a recent sobering statistic from the BBC stating, “The world population of African penguins is dwindling by a staggering eight percent annual rate, with a decline of over 99% over the past century.” This is one of the many reasons zoos are trying to save the populations.

Also new to the zoo is Smidgen, the black-footed cat, which is the smallest species in Africa, weighing only two to five pounds on average. They are stealth nocturnal hunters, so come say, “Hi,” to Smidgen. Hint: You’ll need a sharp eye for spotting this cat, as its beautiful color and markings make him blend in very well in his habitat.

While you’re at the Cameron Park Zoo, don’t miss all the beloved zoo favorites such as giraffes enjoying its high from high in the trees; the rhino who enjoys his mud bath; Mowgli, the black bear who enjoys his green play ball; Tembo the elephant, and much more. Come learn interesting facts about each animal, such as their country of origin, lifespan, their place on the animal endangered list and more. For instance, in the Herpetarium House, you’ll learn four types of locomotion in snakes, and no, they aren’t dancing to ’70s music.

With 300 animal species and more than 1,700 animals, Cameron Park Zoo has something wild for all ages to enjoy, and the zoo’s commitment to care and conservation of the animal kingdom helps ensure future generations will also appreciate the call of the wild.

CAMERON PARK ZOO
Address: 1701 N. Fourth St., Waco
Website: cameronparkzoo.com
Phone: 254-750-8400
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday;
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday