Maryland Zoo Closed To Prepare New Penguin Exhibit

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is closed this week as it prepares for the grand opening of a major new exhibit focusing on African black-footed penguins and other renovated exhibits.

The new exhibit, "Penguin Coast," will open Sept. 27, when the zoo reopens. The zoo will be closed Monday through Friday for final preparations.

The zoo says the penguin exhibit will bring guests up close to the birds in a recreation of their natural habitat along South Africa's coasts. It includes a large pool and underwater viewing area surrounding an indoor conservation center, which will house the birds' nests. It could eventually house up to 100 birds.

The zoo is also reopening its "Marsh Aviary in the Maryland Wilderness" exhibit and will return its flock of flamingos to public view.