Dubai: The 20 Snow Penguins at Ski Dubai have not only won the hearts of their Dubai friends and tourists but recently won an international award, just one year after the programe was launched.

“Ski Dubai has been awarded second place in the People’s Choice Award’s category at the International Marine Animal Trainers Association [Imata] annual conference for its Snow Penguin programme, making history by being the only first-time participant in the 40-year history of the Imata to win this award,” Sharif Hashem, Marketing Manager of Ski Dubai, told Gulf News.

Imata recognised the holistic penguin training at Ski Dubai for its exceptional animal husbandry efforts as well as its conservation awareness programmes.
“It’s been an incredible first year — the Snow Penguins felt right at home in a remarkably short period of time and we are very proud to be able to call them a part of the Ski Dubai family,” Hashem said.

Hashem said that while they are popular with guests all year round, summer and Eid holidays are the biggest crowd pullers for Ski Dubai and the Snow Penguins.

“A high point as well is during the festive season in December. Interestingly, the Snow Penguins witnessed the highest number of visitors in one day, on Christmas day 2012,” Hashem said.