
The eighth annual Penguin Bowl lived up to its name as Antarctic conditions hit the Three Rivers region and dumped over 53 centimeters of snow on the Pittsburgh Zoo.
(By Dr. Ray Beiersdorfer) -- Out of the 20 teams planning to attend the event, 12 managed to make it to the zoo on Friday evening for the behind-the-scenes tour of the PPG Aquarium. After great tours of the isolation tanks and the top of the shark tank about ninety people marched outside and formed a large circle while standing in approximately 15 centimeters of snow. We were treated to a visit by three king penguins and one macaroni penguin. The king penguins each waddled around the perimeter checking us out as we petted them and took their photos. It was thrilling to be standing in the semi-darkness being pelted with snow and petting a penguin. Afterwards nine-teams found a place to sleep near the polar bears at the Zoo's Water's Edge Exhibit. Read the full story »