State-of-the-art Magellanic Penguin exhibit opens at El Paso Zoo

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- "It makes me so excited. I've loved animals my whole life and so getting so see these here in my hometown, here in the Borderland, is just fantastic," says El Paso Zoo guest Olivia Siqueiros.

"It's just such a great opportunity for our community," says Siqueiros. "You know specifically for our kiddos to really learn about wildlife."

Joe Montisano, Director of the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens, agrees.

"Most people have never seen penguins cause we live in El Paso an there's not a lot of water let alone penguins, says Montisano. "I mean and so it's a great exhibit for us."

Montisano and zookeepers pulled the curtain back and showed ABC-7 how they made this new enclosure a home for penguins.

These Magellanic Penguins come from South America. They are used to a temperate coastal climate.

The exhibit has a water filtration system, a nursing pod for birthing, and a back den for the penguins to nest. It also illuminates ultra violet light to mimic the sun's rays.

It takes several zookeepers to maintain this $6.2 million investment by the City of El Paso.

Voters approved the new exhibit in the 2012 Quality of Life Bond.

The zookeepers take turns cleaning, training, and feeding the penguins.

Although new, the penguins are social and curious. They form bonds with each other and with other people.