Chicago zoo plans new penguin home

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CHICAGO, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago says it will move its penguin and seabird population to a temporary new home while it rebuilds their exhibit area.

Concerns about the long-term viability of some of the temperature control equipment in the 30-year-old Kovler Penguin-Seabird House have led zoo officials to plan a new exhibit, the Chicago Sun-times reported Friday.

The more than 60 penguins and puffins will be moved during the winter because it is easier on the animals, the zoo said, and will be returned when the new exhibit is complete.

Zoo Chief Executive Officer Kevin Bell said he was "just as excited today about our plans for creating the next great state-of-the-art animal habitat in that space as I was several decades ago when we laid the groundwork for the penguin house."

The exhibit would remain open until all of its occupants have been moved, the zoo said.