Penguin exhibit at Detroit Zoo opens for first time since 2019

New chicks added to flock

ROYAL OAK, Mich. – The Detroit Zoo’s Polk Penguin Conservation Center closed for repairs in 2019, those repairs were only expected to last about nine months -- then the COVID pandemic happened.

The facility was closed in 2019 after leaks were discovered in the foundation. Now, years later, the massive facility is ready to welcome visitors back in again. The facility has new lights and wider ramps.

As soon as school wrapped up Monday, the Slowik family was one of the first to check out the exhibit. There were new additions to the flock, five chicks and the first King Penguin chick in 20 years.

Read more: Detroit Zoo reopens Polk Penguin Conservation Center after 2 year renovation


About the Authors:

Priya joined WDIV-Local 4 in 2013 as a reporter and fill-in anchor. Education: B.A. in Communications/Post Grad in Advanced Journalism

Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer.