Aug. 9th, 2012. After the entrance zone is passed this is the very first area that features animals and it is set in a large greenhouse-like structure with lots of sunshine via immense skylights. The attention to detail is amazing, as there are large tanks lining both sides of the visitor pathway with crashing waterfalls, elaborately designed mock-rock outcrops, intricate murals, an animatronic bald eagle, greenery in all directions, and even a huge fallen tree crossing the pathway over the heads of visitors. The 3 river otters are the star attraction but everything is so well done that I was in awe of the experience.
Species list: river otter, ruddy duck, green-winged teal, alligator snapping turtle, softshell turtle, sunfish, crappie, spotted gar, longnose gar, walleye, buffalo fish, sturgeon, razorback sucker, humpback chub, Rio Grande chub, Colorado pikeminnow, brown trout, rainbow trout, greenback cutthroat trout, musky, pike, smallmouth bass, channel catfish and Arctic grayling.
