News Release

(Gatlinburg, Tenn., January 13, 2010)  Celebrating its 10^th anniversary this year, Gatlinburg’s Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies announced it is opening the new $5 million “Penguin Playhouse” in March, showcasing a colony of African Black Footed Penguins in the new indoor/outdoor habitat. Since 1930, the African penguin population has dropped from an estimated one million birds down to 150,000 today, putting them on the list of “vulnerable” animals facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. Gatlinburg is proud to introduce the wonders of these creatures to those visiting the Gateway to the Smoky Mountains.

The exhibit is the largest and costliest expansion ever at the Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg. In the new “Penguin Playhouse,” more than 30,000 gallons of temperature controlled saltwater depict the coastal island rookeries along the coast of South Africa, closely modeling the home of African Black Footed Penguins. Aquarium guests can crawl through clear underwater acrylic tunnels and pop up on the penguin’s private beach to view the birds “nose to beak.” In these tunnels, visitors can view the penguins from both above and below water level.

The penguins who will be calling Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies their home all have been bred at other zoos and aquariums and are a part of the Species Survival Plan of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. When these young birds reach breeding age, they too will contribute to the survival of their species in the wild. In Ripley’s Penguin Playhouse, burrowed nesting boxes and mud holes have been built into the rocky habitat for nest building.

As birds, Ripley’s African Black Footed Penguins and the other 17 different species of penguins of the world, have adapted to life in the sea. Found only south of the Equator, penguins are, as Ripley’s Penguin Playhouse shows, not always birds of ice and snow. The interactive habitat features two wave machines and multiple spa jets to ensure continual water movements designed to create an inviting watery playground for the birds. Naturalistic rockwork and plantings surround the habitat.

About African Black Footed Penguins

·         African penguins are not endangered but are considered “vulnerable,” which means they are facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. Major reasons include depletion of their food from overfishing and pollution. Since 1930, the African penguin population has dropped from an estimated one million birds down to 150,000 today.

·         They average 23-27 inches tall and weigh five to nine pounds.

·         Their diet consists of small fishes, such as herring, anchovies and sardines.

·         In the wild, African penguins have an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years but they live much longer in zoos and aquariums.

·         They swim at an average speed of 4 mph with a top speed of 12 mph and can stay submerged for up to two minutes.

·         African penguins have evolved shorter feathers because, unlike Antarctic species, they do not face extremely cold environments. To help stay cool, they pant like a dog and swim in the chilly water.

·         Mature birds lay two eggs in the nest, which is protected from the sun and most predators, and both parents incubate the eggs and feed the chicks for two to four months. African penguins breed in huge, noisy colonies and the mating pair stays together in a tight bond for their entire life.

“We’re really happy and proud to debut this amazing exhibit during our 10^th anniversary,” said Ryan DeSear, general manager of Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. “Our Penguin Playhouse will soon become another iconic exhibit within the Aquarium and we hope to see it at the top of the must-see list for visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains. Our penguin habitat beautifully showcases these incredible birds, creating a wonderful family experience.”

Now celebrating its 10th year in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies was named The Number One Aquarium in America by TripAdvisor.com in 2009. More than 14 million have visited the aquarium since its opening in December 2000.

For travel information to Gatlinburg, please visit www.Gatlinburg.com.

About Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies (www.ripleysaquariumofthesmokies.com): Aquarium of the Smokies the second most attended attraction in Tennessee, was Voted The Number One Aquarium in America by TripAdvisor.com and Forbes Traveler has named it one of America’s best aquariums. More than 100,000 exotic sea creatures live in its 1.4 million gallons of water. The aquarium is known for its shark exhibit that features 11-foot sharks and one of the longest underwater tunnels in the world. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is part of the Ripley Entertainment Inc. family of worldwide entertainment facilities that includes another world class aquarium - Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach, S.C. More than 13 million people visit Ripley’s 70-plus attractions in 13 countries each year.  Ripley Entertainment Inc. is a division of the Jim Pattison Group, the third largest privately held company in Canada.

Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, Tennessee boasts inspiration to all who visit, from the misting mountains, the trickling streams and the exquisite wildlife that call this mountain haven home. Wherever your adventurous spirit guides you, Gatlinburg delivers family fun, unique shops, and an extensive arts and crafts community. Explore the popular Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, ride the country's longest aerial tram, browse through hundreds of unique shops in search of the perfect treasure, and revel in the splendor of the Great Smoky Mountains as you Reach Higher Ground in Gatlinburg. For more information, visit www.Gatlinburg.com or call 1-800-588-1817. For media information and digital images, visit www.gatlinburgpressroom.com. Visit us on YouTube at www.youtube.com/visitgatlinburg and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/visitgatlinburg.

# # #