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The CPZ Edge of the Icepack building is home to 61 penguins, divided between

Mary Schwalm Gentoo Penguin at the Central Park Zoo.

two species: Gentoo and Chinstrap.

Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) - The Gentoos are the larger of the two species. These penguins may reach just over 2 feet tall and weigh about 12 lbs. They may be identified by the distinctive yellow-orange beaks and the white bands above each eye.

Chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarctica) - The Chinstraps are smaller than the Gentoos. They may reach 2 feet in height and weigh about 9 lbs. They can be identified by, you guessed it, the black strap of feathers under their black beaks.

Habitat: Both species live on the Antarctic Peninsula, with the Gentoos’ breeding grounds extending as far north as the Falkland Islands.

Exhibit: The CPZ exhibit is kept is kept between 32-34 degrees F. with the water temperature a cold 42 degrees F. Their tank holds 48,000 gallons of water at a depth of 12 feet and filtered at 800 gallons per minute. The water needs to be kept clean; there are a lot of penguins and they spend about two-thirds of their time in the water.

Threats: Penguin predators include killer whales (Orcinus orca) and leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx). Both species of predator can jump out of the water onto the edge of the ice to attack, so penguins have adapted and are able jump 6 feet out of the water. On land penguin chicks are in danger from gulls, skuas, and other sea birds. Global warming is affecting Antarctica twice as fast as it is here in NYC. Nesting sites are becoming slushy because of the warming trend and nests are unusable. While the number of penguins is approximately 15 million, the change in climate has serious implications on the penguins’ diet in addition to loss of nesting sites. Some of you may recently have heard of the giant iceberg that blocked penguins from their feeding grounds. This is a direct result of global warming.

Diet: In the wild, both Gentoo and Chinstrap penguins will eat fish and krill, a shrimp-like crustacean. At the CPZ, their diet consists of capelin (a type of smelt) and herring. The penguins are hand fed by keepers twice a day, at 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM.

Life Span: The average life span is 10-15 years in the wild and up to 30 years in captivity. CPZ penguins may live long, healthy lives with regular food, affordable medical insurance, and rent stabilization.

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