TO SEE THE LIVE WEBCAM AT THE ZOO, CLICK HERE!
NOTE: Penguins are best viewed from 9am to 5pm EST

PENGUINS FROM THE MARYLAND ZOO IN BALTIMORE TO LEND A HAND TO THEIR HOLLYWOOD COUNTERPARTS
-Zoo's Penguins Helping Spread The Word About New Movie "Happy Feet"-

BALTIMORE (November 6, 2006) - The bright lights of Hollywood are beckoning The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore's African penguins.

The Zoo is teaming up with Warner Bros. Pictures to help promote "Happy Feet," the new movie about penguins that will be out in theaters on November 17. People who can't get enough of penguins on the big screen will be excited to hear that now they can see them anytime on a smaller screen -- a computer monitor. The Zoo's "Happy Feet" Penguin Cam is going live today, November 6. Links to it can be found on the Zoo's Web site, www.marylandzoo.org, and on the "Happy Feet" Web site, www.happyfeetmovie.com. "Happy Feet" Penguin Cam viewers will see the Zoo's penguins engaging in a variety of activities, including swimming, eating and just walking around. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is home to the largest captive population of African penguins in North America, with more than 50 of the birds living at the Zoo's Rock Island.

To further celebrate the release of "Happy Feet," two of the Zoo's baby penguins will be be named "Gloria" and "Mumble" after characters in the movie. And three of The Maryland Zoo's ambassador penguins -- Tux, Tails and Ascot -- and their handler, Amy Eveleth, will make an appearance on NBC's "Today" show November 17.

"Happy Feet" is set in the great nation of Emperor Penguins, deep in Antarctica, where you're nobody unless you can sing -- which is unfortunate for Mumble (ELIJAH WOOD), who is the worst singer in the world. He is born dancing to his own tune...tap dancing. Though Mumble's mom, Norma Jean (NICOLE KIDMAN), thinks this little habit is cute, his dad, Memphis (HUGH JACKMAN), says it "just ain't penguin." Besides, they both know that without a Heartsong, Mumble may never find true love. As fate would have it, his one friend, Gloria (BRITTANY MURPHY), happens to be the best singer around. Mumble and Gloria have a connection from the moment they hatch, but she struggles with his strange "hippity- hoppity" ways. Mumble is just too different-especially for Noah the Elder (HUGO WEAVING), the stern leader of Emperor Land, who ultimately casts him out of the community. Mumble sets out across vast landscapes and, after some epic encounters, proves that by being true to yourself, you can make all the difference in the world.

 

About The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

Founded in 1876, The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is the third oldest zoo in the United States and is internationally known for its contributions in conservation and research. More than 1,500 animals are represented in the Zoo's varied natural habitat exhibits in areas such as Polar Bear Watch, the Maryland Wilderness, African Journey and the award-winning Children's Zoo. Situated in Druid Hill Park near downtown Baltimore, the Zoo is fully accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. For more information, visit www.marylandzoo.org.

 

About "Happy Feet"

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Kennedy Miller production, in association with Animal Logic Film. A George Miller film, "Happy Feet", features the voices of Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Hugo Weaving and Anthony LaPaglia.

The film is directed by George Miller, who also co-wrote the screenplay with John Collee, Judy Morris and Warren Coleman. The film is produced by Doug Mitchell, George Miller and Bill Miller, with Zareh Nalbandian, Graham Burke, Dana Goldberg, and Bruce Berman executive producing.