The Calgary Zoo’s so-called Penguin Plunge exhibit introduced with great fanfare in February, 212. It features dozens of Humboldt, Gentoo, Rockhopper and King penguins. Visitors could even take a walk with them.
But seven penguins have died in the last year due to a variety of reasons including aspergillosis, a fungal infection that impacts the respiratory system, avian malaria due to an accident. (A female Gentoo swallowed a stick.) The most recent death came in November as a Gentoo penguin named Houdini was euthanized after a severe case of aspergillosis, which afflicts captive and wild penguins. Now the zoo has brought in international experts to help figure out what’s going on.
Photo Calgary Zoo
