From the News: Penguins evacuated from Utah aquarium

Penguins evacuated from Utah aquarium

Over the years, there have been some spectacular advances in technology which have made it possible for us to exhibit animals in ways and in places where it never would have been possible years ago.  Climate control systems allow polar animals and tropical animals to live in the same latitude.  Artificial seawater makes it possible to keep marine animals inland.  It's been fascinating to see the advances and improvements over the years.

Of course, we are very much at the mercy of that technology for the survival of our animals in these conditions, as evidenced by the results of Hurricane Katrina at the Aquarium of the Americas.  A just as fitting example, but with far less disastrous results, occurred at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Utah recently.

Keeping Antarctic penguins in Utah may seem like a fool's errand, but (usually) it seems to work.  When it didn't, it looks like the staff at Loveland were up to the task.  No penguins were harmed by the smoke (resulting from faulty air-conditioning), though a few keepers required brief hospitalization due to smoke inhalation.  We'll wish them a speedy recovery, as well as thanks for saving the birds.