Penguins at the Bristol Zoo (Bristol, UK)

I was most impressed by the Bristol Zoo's penguin exhibit. The exhibit included penguins of three different species: the African Black-Footed Penguin (also known as the African "Jackass" Penguins because of their donkey-like noises they produce), the Gentoo Penguin, and two King Penguins. The display itself was phenomenol...the penguin-phile can even observe the penguins from under the water because of an intricate glass underground/underwater tunnel. I loved watching the penguins swimming above me and beside me...what a thrill! They are fast!

This is an African Black-Footed Penguin swimming in the penguin pool. He was somewhat camera-shy, but oh-so-cute!

This is a photograph taken from the glass "under-the-water" exhibit of a king penguin. He was a very graceful swimmer!

Here is a picture of the penguin exhibit from the ground. A net hanging over the exhibit enabled birds of the Antarctic to fly freely around the exhibit, perhaps to make the penguins feel more at home. When I was there, it was cold and dark outside, so the environment in the UK enables the exhibit to be outdoors rather than behind a glass display case.

Here is an excellent photo of the zoo's two king penguins. They stuck together almost the entire time I was there (several hours). Their steps were even synchronized! I thought they might be mates, but the girl that fed them told me that they are both males.

I have also seen penguins at the Milwaukee Zoo and have some pictures. If you would like to see them, click here or click on next at the bottom of this page.