Humboldt Penguins to be put out for display by this month end

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to put the Humboldt Penguins imported from South Korea on public display at the Byculla zoo here from this month end, a senior civic official said.
However, the entry will be regulated for the initial few days, he said.
"From the end of this month till March end, the Penguin enclosure will be open for school children. No fees will be charged to catch glimpse of this South American species. Their parents too will not be charged if they carry a valid identity card," the official said.
He said the exact date for opening the Penguin enclosure has not been decided yet, but the ribbon cutting ceremony would take place at the hands of school kids of civic school in the presence of municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta.

Eight Humboldt Penguins - three males and five females - were brought from Seoul to Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo (commonly known as Byculla zoo) on July 26, 2016.
One of the eight Humbolt Penguins developed serious bacterial infections and died on October 23, 2016 leading to a largescale public uproar from animal activists, while political parties seized the opportunity to corner the ruling Shiv Sena in the BMC over the issue.
The BMC had forfeited Rs 1.40 crore deposit of the contractor who was responsible for the enclosure after the uproar over the death of Penguin.