I was not aware of plans to replace it but I certainly would welcome it, they have an impressive collection that deserves better viewing than the tight hallways that exist there!
Oklahoma City Zoo List of Species On Exhibit 5/20/18
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I was not aware of plans to replace it but I certainly would welcome it, they have an impressive collection that deserves better viewing than the tight hallways that exist there!
This was my first visit and I had thought there was an aquarium attached to the marine mammal building previously but it had closed? If it is still there I missed it entirely. I notice their website only mentions 'Marine Mammals' as a feature of the Noble Aquatic Center.
It was there last August. Not really much to it, but it had underwater viewing of the pinnipeds as well as a number of tanks with marine and freshwater fish and a few turtles.
The aquarium closed down last November. Here is an excerpt from a press release that the zoo put out last September:
"This November, the Zoo will close the aquarium galleries at Aquaticus. The upgrades necessary to bring the 30-year-old aquarium habitats and associated support areas to or above accreditation standards would be prohibitively expensive.
Because we strive for the highest standards for our existing and planned habitats, we have decided to close the 32 aquariums and transfer the fish and other animals to other zoos and aquariums. It’s important to stress that only the aquariums on the lower levels will be closing this November. The upper level of Aquaticus will continue to be home for seals and sea lions, and the sea lion presentations will continue daily."
A brand-new Herpetarium was going to be found in, of all places, a restaurant! Unfortunately that never came to fruition. Here is an excerpt from a 2010 news article in regards to the Oklahoma City Zoo's Master Plan:
"The Canopy Restaurant will be remodeled into a better Herpetarium, which will cost $2.7 million and open in 2017."
Surprised I missed that. Thanks!