Get a peek at what the Columbian Park Zoo penguins are doing with a new live camera

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — If you're wondering how the remaining penguins are faring after six of their zoo mates died from avian malaria, here's your chance to take a peek.

The penguins are currently viewable through the Columbian Park Zoo Penguin Cam.

"Although they're not on public (live) display," Samantha Haville, marketing manager for Lafayette Parks and Recreation said, "you can go online to columbianparkzoo.org and view them in their exhibit."

The three remaining Columbian Park Zoo penguins after last year's avian malaria outbreak are going strong, according to Laffery.

"They're great, they're all healthy," Caitlin Laffery, assistant zoo director, said. "We're not worried about anybody. We are just trying to make renovations to their exhibit so we're keeping them inside until we can more or less guarantee (an enclosed exhibit)."

On Oct. 24, 2021, the African penguin named Flash started showing symptoms of illness and his condition rapidly deteriorated and was found deceased by animal care staff four days later, on the morning Oct. 28.

Five additional penguins died since Flash – Raspberry, Zing, Chartreuse, Fozzie and Zip. Zip was found dead by Columbian Park Zoo animal care staff on Nov. 28.

Columbian Park Zoo's Zoo Run Run and Adult Zoo Park coming up

Upcoming events through Lafayette Parks and Recreation include Saturday's 20th Annual Zoo Run Run, the second Adult Zoo Camp as well as completion of a new playground at Murdock Park.

Zoo Run Run is an annual run/walk that raises funds that go right back into the Columbian Park Zoo. This year, for its 20th anniversary, the race will be held throughout Columbian Park - as opposed to surrounding neighborhoods as in years' past - and within the zoo itself on Saturday.

This is also the first year Zoo Run Run has been held in person in two years.

"The kids fun run is back (as well)," Laffery said. "(It's) just a 100 yard dash where the kids, they don't need to preregister, there's kids there day-of. They get to show up to the start line and they just sprint down to the end. The first place kiddo will get like a little goodie bag."

Registration for the Zoo Run Run is open until Thursday. Day-of registration will be available for last-minute registration as well. To learn more or register for the race, visit www.lafayette.in.gov/2145/Zoo-Run-Run. The kids' run will start at 8:15 a.m. while the full race will begin at 8:45 a.m.

The first ever Adult Zoo Camp was held at Columbian Park Zoo last week to much acclaim. The event was fully booked with every available spot taken.

"(The Adult Zoo Camp) was a day for adults only," Laffery said. "It was structured very much like our kids' camp where we really wanted to bring back the nostalgia and have people reclaim their childhood."

Events at this camp included crafts, animal meet-and-greets and an adult-camp-exclusive behind the scenes tour of the penguin exhibit. Participants also received a general admission ticket to the night's Lafayette Aviators game.

The next Adult Zoo Camp will be held on Aug. 4. Due to the popularity of last week's event, next month's camp is already fully registered for, with a growing wait-list. Anyone who is interested in joining the wait-list can do so by calling the Columbian Park education branch at 765-807-1546 or by visiting www.lafayette.in.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1267. Registration is $75 per participant.

Murdock Park playground almost completed

By the end of this week, the new playground set at Murdock Park is scheduled to be completed.

"The old playground had really reached the end of its life," Jon Miner, director of operations for Lafayette Parks and Recreation said. "They have a lifespan of about 20-25 years...We uninstalled the old one and we're putting the new one back in."

This new playground will consist of a shelter, a composite piece, a swing and basket swing, and two spring riders. The playground will be completed by the end of this week while the shelter is aiming to be finished in about four weeks, according to Miner.

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: Columbian Park Zoo PenguinCam gives live updates of exhibit