Folly Farm Opens its New GBP500,000 Penguin Enclosure

WALES, ENGLAND, June 17, 2013 (Press-News.org) Wildlife fans from across Wales descended upon Folly Farm as the adventure park and zoo opened its GBP500,000 penguin enclosure.

The special area, entitled Penguin Coast, features 24 Peruvian Humboldt penguins and is the only natural saltwater enclosure of its kind in Wales. It was formally opened to the public by Edwina Hart, the Government Minister for Economy, Science and Transport alongside children from Ysgol y Frenni in Crymych as well as Tavern Spite Primary School.

Set over two acres, the attraction cost GBP500,000 to build over a course of six months and is able to home 40 penguins. It contains a nursery for the birds, a beach area, a 100m3 saltwater pool that replicates their natural surroundings and a play area with specialised plants and rocks.

With many penguin enclosures in Wales and across the UK still using freshwater pools with chlorine, there are still question marks on the long-term health effects of penguins living near the chemical and Folly Farm is the first of its kind in Wales that uses a more natural saltwater pool. What's more, the zoo's nesting site is also twice the recommended size for penguins - giving them more time and space to dry off after a dip in the water and minimising the risk of developing harmful fungi.

Tim Morphew, who is the Zoo Manager at Folly Farm, said: "It was fantastic opening to the public. The excitement has been building since we first announced that the penguins were coming six months ago. Since then, we've seen Penguin Coast develop from a design on a piece of paper to the state-of-the-art enclosure we have today."

Tim thanked all the people involved in building the enclosure, including the zoos across the world who passed on their penguins.

Edwina Hart said: ""I'm delighted that Folly Farm found a Welsh-based solution for the pump house needed to create a saltwater environment for the birds by working with IAT, the Anglesey-based international supplier of aquariums and sea life. It's a tribute to Welsh business that they have been able to work with local builders and suppliers where possible.

"I'd like to wish this latest venture every success and I expect the investment will reap the deserved rewards during this special 25th anniversary year."

The enclosure is part of Folly Farm's new 'Zoo Keeper Experience,' a behind the scenes tour that lets visitors see the adventure park and zoo from the eyes of a zoo workers, with the opportunity to feed the animals.

For more information about Folly Farm, visit the website today.

Folly Farm is one of the top adventure parks and zoos in Wales. With exotic creatures from across the world, exhilarating rides, fun adventure playgrounds as well as countless other attractions, Folly Farm is fun for the entire family - whether you're young or simply young at heart!