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Above, left to right: Humboldt
penguin, grey gull, and Inca tern

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Rocky Shores
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The noisiest exhibit in THE LIVING COAST by far
is Rocky Shores. Here, a colony of about 22 Humboldt
penguins live mostly harmoniously with colonies of
free-flying grey gulls and Inca terns.
This exhibit is a re-creation of a biologically diverse
region of the Pacific coast of South America. “Along the
Chilean and Peruvian coast, there’s a big upwelling of
cold water,” said Tim Snyder, vice president of Animal
Care. “This causes the growth of plankton, which is what
Round goby
the smaller fish feed on, and the larger fish feed on them.”
Seabirds, including Inca terns and grey gulls, deposit
I n v a d e r s o f guano, or poop, along the shore and on nearby islands.
Invaders of
Over time, guano deposits form large piles, where the
penguins dig burrow-like nests where they and their
the Great Lakes
t h e G r e a t L a k e s young can be safe from predators and the elements.
Each Rocky Shores penguin pair is identified by
A large freshwater exhibit holds eight species of fish a like-colored wing band. The birds generally mate
native to the Great Lakes region. Two species of invasive long-term and raise their young together, said Snyder.
fish are in a smaller tank nearby. The round goby During breeding season—November through May—
is native to the Black Sea and Caspian Sea and the one of the pair stands guard at their burrow’s entrance
weatherfish is native to East Asia. They likely hitched while the other incubates the egg or eggs inside.
a ride to the area in ballast-water discharges from ships. Each individual has its own personality, said Snyder,
Invasive species are a major cause of the extinction and they are fun to watch. For example, although they
of species around the world. When they are introduced are monogamous, one will occasionally stray from its
to new ecosystems, they often encounter few predators mate and have “an affair.” The cheated-on animal will
and can out-compete native species for food, oxygen, chase its rival away from its mate. “Sometimes it’s just
and other resources. like watching a soap opera.”
New signage explains how substances washed into To learn more, view our “Bringing the Zoo to You”
local rivers and streams can threaten marine life and video, “Humboldt Penguins,” on Brookfield Zoo's
ocean ecosystems thousands of miles away. YouTube channel.

26 GATEWAYS | LIVING COAST