News Updates

Aquarium Enhancing Two Galleries

Jenks, OK July 17, 2008

The Oklahoma Aquarium is excited to unveil plans to remodel sections of the first two galleries. The improvements are part of the Aquarium’s ongoing efforts to renew and improve the visitor experience. The first project is underway in the Biodiversity Gallery which features invertebrates - aquatic animals without spines. The back third of small tanks are being replaced with a large shrimp boat structure which will house shrimp, horseshoe crabs and other animals. The shrimp boat will be an interactive station with the opportunity for guests to both feed and touch these animals. This addition will not only provide another hands-on experience for guests, it will also improve traffic flow. Animals in the eliminated tanks have been relocated to other tanks in the Aquarium. The shrimp boat is expected to be completed by March 2009.

The second project is slated for the Adaptation Gallery. A central bank of tanks will be replaced with a large floor to ceiling tank with crawl-through tunnels and “pop-ups” for children, and adventurous adults, to literally come eye-to-eye with fish. The Adaptation Gallery features fish that change behaviorally or physically, or adapt, to survive. The crawl-through tank will house arapaima, the largest freshwater fish in the world, also freshwater stingrays and iguanas on an island in the exhibit. Again, any fish in outmoded tanks will be relocated. “The first five years has been a critical period for building a solid foundation,” said Kenny Alexopoulos, Deputy Director and designer of the projects, “but now we can improve upon that base with these exciting changes.” The yet-to-be named crawl through tank is projected for completion in March 2010.

The Biodiversity and Adaptation Galleries were made possible through the generous support of the Anne and Henry Zarrow Family Foundation during initial construction of the Aquarium. The new features are available for sponsorship by contacting Teri Bowers, COO/Executive Director tbowers@okaquarium.org.

About the Oklahoma Aquarium

See the largest bull sharks in captivity through a one-of-a-kind walk-through tunnel, plus hundreds of other fascinating creatures including seahorses, jellyfish, and eels. Feed and even touch stingrays and small sharks! You’ll be charmed by playful river otters, beavers and raccoons in the new Hayes Family Ozark Stream. Don’t miss the Karl and Beverly White National Fishing Tackle Museum featuring a $4 million collection of antique rods, reels, lures and other memorabilia. The Oklahoma Aquarium is a great escape any time of year. Come “sea” us soon!

* Open every day except for Christmas Day