Penguin Dies In Zoo’s New Exhibit

The Woodland Park Zoo said they believe one of their Humboldt penguins died Thursday from eating loose construction material in the Zoo’s new penguin exhibit.

Zookeepers said the 18-year-old penguin, named Chiquito, got sick after consuming a sealant used on a pipe in the exhibit’s pool. Keepers are looking for more loose and exposed sealant in the exhibit that could make other penguins sick.

Chiquito was one of the 20 Humboldt penguins the zoo received for its new penguin exhibit that opened in May. Humboldt penguins are an endangered species and can live up to 30 years in captivity. Only 12,000 Humboldt penguins are estimated to still be living in the wild.