The National Aviary is America’s only independent indoor nonprofit zoo dedicated exclusively to birds. Located in West Park on Pittsburgh’s historic North Side, the National Aviary’s diverse collection comprises more than 500 birds from around the world, many of them threatened or endangered in the wild. The National Aviary’s large walk-through exhibits create an experience unlike any other – an intimate, up-close interaction between visitors and free-flying birds, including opportunities to hand-feed and meet many species rarely found in zoos anywhere else in the world.
Penguin Point, the Aviary’s new 2,300 square-foot African penguin exhibit, opened May 23, 2009, providing penguin fans a great opportunity to get close to these remarkable birds.
The new exhibit affords 360-degree views of African penguins swimming, playing, nesting and scaling rocks in an open-air space. A wheelchair accessible Kids ViewTube under the exhibit offers underwater views of the penguins as they dive, swim and “fly” through the pool, while domed bubbles allow young guests the chance to pop up in the middle of the penguin group.
Ozone water treatment is employed in this exhibit to keep the water free of pathogens and maintain a high degree of water clarity. Ozone is used in many aquariums, mammal pools and similar facilities to protect animals and improve guests ability to see and enjoy the exhibits. Ozone is produced on site and injected into the water under carefully controlled conditions.