On September 21, the
Dakota Zoo held a grand opening for its new penguin exhibit in Bismarck, ND. HEI completed the site design at-cost to the Dakota Zoo as the zoo is a non-profit. HEI's Nic Cullen is on the Board of Directors for the Dakota Zoo and attended the ceremony.
The Dakota Zoo completed a community survey and 85% of the community requested penguins over any other animal. The zoo then began a capital campaign in 2015 to start fundraising to complete this project, as the zoo is completely non-profit/member-supported and receives no support from local, state, or federal taxes. The Bismarck/Mandan community and Dakota Zoo members stepped up to support this project and pledged cash or in-kind donations.
HEI's Nic Cullen, fifth from the right, is on the Dakota Zoo's Board of Directors.
The penguins are South African penguins, which are endangered. There are currently six males in the exhibit, with two more on the way. Next spring, eight females will be joining the males for a total of 16 penguins. The penguins are offered both indoor and outdoor exhibits as they are temperate penguins that do not like it much colder than 40 degrees and not much hotter than 85 degrees.
The site design included water and sewer improvements, fire access, stormwater management, and floodplain regulations.
Learn more about the grand opening.