Mumbaikars, You Won’t Be Able To Spot Penguins At Byculla Zoo From June To August!

If you were planning a penguin date at Byculla Zoo this summer, we have some news for you! The zoo’s much-loved Humboldt penguins will be taking a short break from the spotlight during the off-season months of June, July, and August. Here’s what’s happening!

Byculla Zoo Penguins To Be Taken Off Display

According to Mid-Day, the BMC has announced that the penguins at Byculla Zoo will be taken off public display during the off-season months of June, July, and August. But there’s no need to worry—this isn’t a holiday for the birds. The move is part of a behind-the-scenes upgrade aimed at making their habitat cooler, more comfortable, and better suited to their needs.

According to the report, the existing penguin enclosure is scheduled for a major overhaul that will increase the facility’s capacity to house up to 40 penguins. During this temporary closure, the birds will be shifted to a nearby enclosure that was earlier used for quarantine when the penguins were first brought to Mumbai in 2016. The space closely mirrors their current habitat, ensuring they remain comfortable and well cared for throughout the upgrade.

Also Read: What Is ‘Death March’? Why Do Some Penguins Leave Their Families & Survival Behind?

More About The Expansion Plans

The Mid-Day report revealed that the expansion of the penguin enclosure is part of the ongoing construction of an aquarium at the Byculla Zoo. The work on this ambitious project is already underway. Interestingly, the zoo authorities have left some space behind the original penguin enclosure for future expansion projects, which will now come in use.

The Byculla Zoo has 21 Humboldt penguins right now. Out of these, 14 were born in Mumbai over the past nine years. The existing enclosure can comfortably accommodate up to 25 birds. Now, to give these cutesy little birds a bigger, cooler, and more comfortable enclosure, BMC has decided to upgrade the facility, and it will be able to hold up to 40 penguins.

Also Read: India’s 1st Coral Reef Research Centre Is Coming To Andaman & Here’s All About It

Have you visited the penguins at this zoo yet? Let us know in the comments.

Cover Image Courtesy: X/TheMumbaiZoo