Was this after they redid the board walk? I don't remember being able to access that side of the exhibit before, but they were doing renovations to the walk last time I had gone. I thought they were just changing out the planks. The board walk at one point use to go right up to the acrylic panel till they blocked it off with railing.
If I remember correctly, I don't think the boardwalk is parallel to this side of the exhibit, but it curves a little in its direction so you can view it from that angle.