Penguins March to their New Home

Watch as the Penguin’s march to their new home at the Polk Penguin Conservation Center: March of the Penguins!

DeMaria, in partnership with Wharton-Smith Inc., is proud to build the largest penguin conservation center in the world. It will be home to more than 80 and up to 120 penguins of four species – gentoo, macaroni, rockhopper, and king. The facility’s design was inspired by the harsh ice world of Antarctica. The dramatic exterior resembles a tabular iceberg, imitating the masses of ice that form and break in the Antarctic waters, complete with a waterfall. Upon entry, visitors will descend a series of ramps as they are surrounded by 4-D effects, including arctic blasts, waves, snow, and icebergs breaking.

One of the most dramatic features is a chilled 326,000-gallon, 25-foot-deep aquatic area that will allow visitors to watch as penguins explore their habitat and deep-dive – something that is otherwise impossible to see, even in the wild. Two acrylic underwater tunnels provide guests with views above and below as the birds dive and soar.