The Detroit Zoo's penguin center reopened after years of construction. It still leaks.

Emma Stein and Amy Huschka, Detroit Free Press
·2 min read

The Detroit Zoo's Polk Penguin Conservation Center closed in September 2019 for what was supposed to be nine months of repairs. It reopened Monday after more than two years — and there still are leaks.

Zoo Director Hayley Murphy said in a statement that the zoo opened the center knowing there were unresolved leaks.

"We have found and corrected as many leaks as possible," Murphy said. "The leaks that are still occurring are not affecting animal health or welfare, or the guest experiences enjoyed within the building."

She said they're continuing to monitor the leaks to make sure they are not harming the penguins or visitors, but fixing them would require more "disruptions to the building" and an even longer closure of the center.

Chinstrap penguins at the Polk Penguin Conservation Center at the Detroit Zoo. The Detroit Zoo penguin center reopened after years of construction but is still dealing with leaks.
Chinstrap penguins at the Polk Penguin Conservation Center at the Detroit Zoo. The Detroit Zoo penguin center reopened after years of construction but is still dealing with leaks.

"Several millions of dollars have been spent on repairs so far, so this has been very costly, both financially and because it has meant keeping this amazing resource for the metro Detroit community closed for an extended time period,” Murphy said.

It originally closed in 2019 for much-needed waterproofing repairs to the building's foundation, according to the Detroit Zoological Society

“Unfortunately, the contractor failed to properly waterproof the foundation, was aware that groundwater was seeping into the building throughout construction, didn’t fix the problem and failed to inform us,” Ron Kagan, then-Detroit Zoological Society executive director and CEO, said in 2019.

The center is the largest penguin facility in the world and is home to more than 75 king, rockhopper, macaroni, gentoo and chinstrap penguins.

Chinstrap penguins at the Polk Penguin Conservation Center at the Detroit Zoo. The Detroit Zoo penguin center reopened after years of construction but is still dealing with leaks.
Chinstrap penguins at the Polk Penguin Conservation Center at the Detroit Zoo. The Detroit Zoo penguin center reopened after years of construction but is still dealing with leaks.

“The chinstraps settled right in and became avid swimmers. Once the lights come on for the day, TJ, Haiku, Kringle and Turtle immediately dive into the pool,” said Detroit Zoological Society Curator of Birds Bonnie Van Dam. “They also had no problem integrating with the other species. Penguins thrive within larger colonies, and they are just exceptional at mingling.”

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Upgrades include a section of glass flooring that allows guests to see birds swimming below their feet, repainted rock surfaces, the creation of more nesting areas, a second snow machine within the habitat, upgrades to the water and air filtration systems, enhanced lighting, and exhibits that focus on changing climate and the resulting loss of sea ice.

Contact Emma Stein: estein@freepress.com and follow her on Twitter @_emmastein.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Zoo's penguin center still leaks after years of construction