Toledo Zoo: Penguins & Aquarium

 I've certainly been to zoos with aquar- iums, and I've been to zoos with conserva- tories.  I've even been to a zoo with a natural history museum.  But I've never been to a zoo with all three!  Unfortunately, like other aspects of the Toledo Zoo, the Promedica Museum of Natural History was closed to the public.  Thankfully, the Aquarium was not.

The Aquarium (K) was built back during the depression and spent two and a half years beginning in 2012 being renovated and expanded with the addition of Penguin Beach, home to a colony of African Black-footed Penguins (Spheniscus demersus).  Given the available space, the Aquarium isn't anchored by any enormous tank, but rather many medium and smaller aquariums feathering both fresh and saltwater flora and fauna.  Some highlights include a large Zebra Shark (Stegostoma tigrinum), and tank featuring a range of large to small manta rays, a rescued Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas), riverscapes with fish etc from a single river live the Amazon.  As aquariums go, it's medium/small.  For a zoo this size, it's perfect.

Here's where I thought I met my first volunteer, but he turned out to be a paid member of the education staff whose job description was to do species interpretation.  But he assured me there were volunteers at the zoo...stealthy, invisible volunteers.  

By now it was around 3:30.  We high-tailed it over to Tembo Trail to see the Elephants, Hippos, Rhino, etc, but all of those animals were in for the night, and staff were already doing maintenance on the habitats to tidy up after the animals.  Oddly, North American River Otters (Lontra canadensis) were out.  The water was murky; however, so not good for pics.

Upper level Penguin Beach viewing

Hanging out on Penguin Beach with avian friends

Under water viewing below

Even bad pics are sometimes good

The names of major donors are inscribed on the Penguins by way of a "thank you!"

Green Sea Turtle rehabilitated after injury in the wild, his hind legs are fused together.

The only Great White Shark is a model overhead

large column Aquarium with kelp and fish

Riverscape aquarium