Bronze statues complement Columbian Park Zoo penguin exhibit

Margaret Christopherson, Lafayette Journal & Courier
·2 min read

LAFAYETTE, Ind. − New bronze statues have been installed at Columbian Park Zoo as part of the African penguin exhibit.

In July of 2021, the long-awaited penguin exhibit debuted at Columbian Park Zoo. In October, one penguin, Flash, began exhibiting symptoms of illness. Over the course of about a month, five additional penguins died due to what the necropsies confirmed as avian malaria.

Of the initial nine penguins, three have survived. In honor of the penguins as a whole, a new bronze art display near the Penguin Cove exhibit has been installed, courtesy of a gift from the Jana & Jeff Kessler Family.

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"Our family has enjoyed Columbian Park and its Zoo for generations,” Jana Kessler said in a release. “We are blessed to give back and to assist in the Zoo's growth so that current and future generations can also enjoy and make memories."

The installation, created by artist Rita Hadley, features four bronze penguins depicting the lifecycle of penguins. Hadley's portfolio includes other installations for Columbian Park Zoo, such as the armadillo medallion installed in early 2021.

"In conjunction with the four statues funded by the Jana & Jeff Kessler Family, Rita and her husband, Rick Hadley, plan to donate three additional penguin statues for a total of seven bronze characters that will complement the area surrounding the Penguin Cove exhibit," the release states.

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Zoo director, Neil Dale, expressed his and the Columbian Park Zoo team's gratitude for the gift of the statues.

"It’s really special to have such a unique piece of art commissioned for our Zoo,” Dale said. “These penguin sculptures will make visits to Penguin Cove even more memorable and special for zoo guests for years to come."

Margaret Christopherson is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email her at mchristopherson@jconline.com and follow her on Twitter @MargaretJC2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Lafayette's Columbian Park Zoo new bronze penguin statues honor deaths