Guests to Franklin Park Zoo will soon have the opportunity to observe critically-endangered African penguins swimming in their new outdoor state-of the art habitat, as well as experience the greatly expanded Serengeti Crossing.

On June 11, the African Experience, which seamlessly integrates the new Penguin Coast and the completely redeveloped Serengeti Crossing, will officially open to the public. A celebratory ribbon cutting is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. 

This $21 million project continues the transformation of Franklin Park Zoo, and provides new opportunities to inspire action in guests of all ages on behalf of wildlife and their habitats. These two new habitats will connect guests with Zoo New England’s conservation mission as they enter the park.

“We are absolutely thrilled to open the African Experience, which includes Penguin Coast, at Franklin Park Zoo. This experience is unlike any other in the region, and I could not be more excited to provide an opportunity for guests to better appreciate and understand these charismatic birds,” said Stephanie Brinley, Zoo New England President and CEO. “As an organization deeply committed to conservation, these new experiences will inspire visitors to care about the health of our world and broaden their understanding of the interconnectedness of the planet’s incredible biodiversity.”

African penguins are found in large colonies along the southwestern rocky coast of Africa from Namibia to Port Elizabeth in South Africa, but their population has declined by nearly 90% since the beginning of the 20th century. Climate change continues to affect marine and atmospheric environments, accelerating habitat loss and lack of prey availability for African penguins. Other threats include development along the coastline, commercial fishing, and oil spills. 

The new Penguin Coast also reinforces Zoo New England’s mission-aligned conservation commitment. Zoo New England has partnered with SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) to protect African penguins. SANCCOB supports Penguin and Seabird Rangers at five vital seabird colonies. These rangers play a critical role in seabird conservation by identifying and rescuing injured, oiled, or abandoned seabirds and eggs and transporting them to one of two SANCCOB centers. Additionally, Penguin Coast highlights the Zoo’s sustainability commitment through its construction, which includes a geothermal system designed to efficiently heat and cool the penguin pool and building as needed seasonally.

In keeping with Zoo New England’s mission to inspire the next generation of conservation stewards, children will have the opportunity to climb aboard a replica penguin rescue boat and learn about the work that scientists are doing in the field to help penguins survive and thrive.

From the sea to land, guests will have the opportunity to learn about the diverse wildlife species that call the African continent home. Serengeti Crossing, home to Hartmann’s mountain zebras, wildebeests, and ostriches has undergone a dramatic expansion. New containment moats allow for unobstructed viewing of the animals and their social interactions. With the changes, guests now have unparalleled views to observe these animals in their expansive habitat.

Generous support for this project comes from Mathworks, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Grace and Ted Fey, Welsh-Loveman Family, Lorenda Layne and Matt Niblack, Doug Lober, Barbara and Peter Roberts, Peter Wilson and the Robert Lloyd Corkin Foundation.
 
Torre Design Consortium is the lead architect and Commodore Builders is managing the construction for this project.