African penguin wearing a cape to keep warm at Children's Zoo at Celebration ...
19.05.12
SAGINAW -- Someone’s looking rather shabby-chic these days in the penguin warming house at Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square.
But the reason for Scooter’s bright dog cape, frayed by the constant pecking of her fellow African penguins, is one zookeepers take very seriously. Scooter didn’t molt this year, which means she also didn’t grow the new feathers that weave into a watertight coat.
While her caretakers make sure she doesn’t go into hypothermia, they’re studying a similar case in California where a custom-made wet suit triggered the molting process. With a little help, said zoo director Nancy Parker, the Neoprene vest could become the latest addition to Scooter’s growing wardrobe.
“People always think of penguins as cold-weather birds but ours come from South Africa, where they’re happiest when the weather is in the 60s,” said visitor services specialist Robin Carey. And even though they live along the coast-line, “it’s not humid,” she added.
Source: The Saginaw News - MLive.com