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Shedd Aquarium Shedd Aquarium
- Thread starter okapikpr
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Thank you for your interest.
Chicago's four zoos (Shedd, Brookfield, Lincoln Park, and Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum) have been working together for years to conserve this species.
That is a great example of teamwork!
Cosley Zoo is another zoo I know that works with the turtles
Willowbrook Wildlife Center and the Forest Preserve Districts of both Cook and Dupage County do work with the Blanding's Turtle as well.
It's really amazing how much collaborating between wildlife centers and zoos can help a very important endangered turtle species that once thrived Illinois.
Shedd Aquarium has announced a $500 million project that will take 4 years to complete. A major component will be turning the North Gallery (Islands and Lakes and Rivers) into a Caribbean coral reef habitat, in a space the same size as Amazon Rising. Shedd, in my opinion the best aquarium in North America, has a bright future:
Shedd announces $500 million project to re-imagine aquarium and expand reach: ‘People will not save what they have no connection to’
There is more information on the website and all the work is expected to be finished in time for the historic aquarium's centenary in 2026 (when John G. Shedd donated $3 million, as the aquarium actually opened in 1930):
https://www.sheddaquarium.org/about-shedd/centennial-commitment/aquarium-transformation
Shedd announces $500 million project to re-imagine aquarium and expand reach: ‘People will not save what they have no connection to’
There is more information on the website and all the work is expected to be finished in time for the historic aquarium's centenary in 2026 (when John G. Shedd donated $3 million, as the aquarium actually opened in 1930):
https://www.sheddaquarium.org/about-shedd/centennial-commitment/aquarium-transformation
Bengal Tiger
Well-Known Member
Little bit sad that they are removing Islands and Lakes and Rivers, but I am excited to see the new area. Hopefully I’ll be able to see the freshwater area this year, it is only a couple of hours north from the area of the state I live in. Hopefully all the animals housed in the existing complex will get good new homes.
To go off of what you said, I'm honestly kinda skeptical about having another "reef-centered" attraction, none the less, it will be a very well-needed upgrade for the aquarium. I was looking forward to the space(s) becoming something special, like a modern upgraded freshwater area, something with the concept of water flowing from the very North, to the South of America, almost like the Tennesse Aquarium's 'River Journey'. Possible species would be an outdoor area for bald eagles, trout, beavers, or otters, alligators, and lake sturgeon, etc. I remember a while back I also planed out what an African Rivers area at the Aquarium might look like, again taking up the same space as the old galleries. At the end of the day, I'm just glad to see the Aquarium's future taking shape.
I did not see that coming! It's been well over a decade since the Abbott Oceanarium was revitalized and that was the aquariums last major project. This looks excellent and I look forward to seeing this all come together, although it is a shame that a lot of the freshwater collection outside of Amazon Rising is being presumably lost. With that said, concept art suggests that there may be an expansion of the arapaima tank in that section along with some other alterations. As part of the expansion the aquarium is also adding a new learning and event space.
I do wonder what will become of the existing circular coral reef at the center of the lobby. It's an absolutely iconic exhibit, but one would imagine there would be some overlap between it and this new attraction. I'm also going to assume this means the African River complex has officially been canned, which is slightly disappointing but its been forever since we've last heard about that idea so not by any means terrible.
So much money going into Lincoln Park and Shedd, donors must be running out of Chicago-area zoos to give money to. If only there was a super large and historic zoological park nearby that could really use some improvements. If only...
Concept Art for the Caribbean Coral Reef Exhibit
Concept Art for Amazon Rising Renovations
Concept Art for Learning and Event CenterAttachments
While I think bringing back the Congo River complex would be the way to go, I think this gallery will be an improvement, although the loss of many of the freshwater species will be disappointing.
What will happen to the existing Caribbean Reef though? Presumably many of the species in that tank will be moved to the new area? Maybe some of the more interesting freshwater species could be moved to that tank?
What will happen to the existing Caribbean Reef though? Presumably many of the species in that tank will be moved to the new area? Maybe some of the more interesting freshwater species could be moved to that tank?
Here is another article that cuts down on all the PR speak and gives some more details on how the renovation will improve the aquarium as a whole. There are going to be four phases of construction over the next eight years, new pathways will be created throughout the building to reduce congestion and increase handicap accessibility, various separate laboratories are being condensed into one central "Science Hub," and more new exhibits beyond the Coral Reef project are on the way. The Caribbean Coral Reef and Learning Commons will be the first two major additions.
Also worth noting from a different article that most of the species in the existing galleries are in fact sticking around, which means thankfully the aquarium is maintaining its freshwater collection. That could possibly be an indicator of what future exhibits may be coming down the pipeline.
Shedd Aquarium Announces Largest Renovation Project in 19 Years
Also worth noting from a different article that most of the species in the existing galleries are in fact sticking around, which means thankfully the aquarium is maintaining its freshwater collection. That could possibly be an indicator of what future exhibits may be coming down the pipeline.
Shedd Aquarium Announces Largest Renovation Project in 19 Years
Bengal Tiger
Well-Known Member
You have a good point, now that it has been mentioned, I will say that I agree on the whole “upgraded freshwater complex, though I do quite like the existing one.
This is awful, that section was great and now they're replacing it with another reef section? What the heck?
I've speculated this on some other threads already, but I'll note it here too. This will leave Great Lakes and Oceans as the last of the Waters of the World galleries left. These galleries have both undergone major renovations in recent years, so I suspect they will stay as-is without much for changes. I also think it wouldn't make sense for Shedd to get rid of any of the local Great Lakes species, given that they are an important part of the aquarium's conservation message and a great way to educate about invasive species.
I think whatever the new expansion after Caribbean Reef will probably be a return of the old Congo River complex plan. A lot of the species in Lakes and Rivers are African, so they could all go there, and the original plan for that complex involved a new expansion under Lake Michigan, so it wouldn't impact the Waters of the World galleries.
If this is how the renovation turns out, I think it will improve the aquarium.
I think whatever the new expansion after Caribbean Reef will probably be a return of the old Congo River complex plan. A lot of the species in Lakes and Rivers are African, so they could all go there, and the original plan for that complex involved a new expansion under Lake Michigan, so it wouldn't impact the Waters of the World galleries.
If this is how the renovation turns out, I think it will improve the aquarium.
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I am definitely excited by this update. The two galleries are some of my favorites, so I will be disappointed if they go, but $500 million is a very significant sum (Most for any zoo complex/renovation?) so I trust Shedd will be able to make something spectacular with it. Nevertheless, this will be very interesting to follow.
tiger stingray
Member
If you reread some of the articles the $500 million dollar price tag includes $250 million dollars that will go toward education, community outreach, and related programs. So the real price tag of the aquarium renovations is $250 million. That is still extremely significant and one of the most expensive zoo exhibits in history. I am afraid species will be lost, but there is some very exciting possibilities. For example, speaking of Africa and the Congo, I would love it if the central tank under the dome was filled with African species like Goliath Tigerfish. That would be so exotic and unique. The Shedd has one or two regular tigerfish now in the river exhibit. Lots of possibilities here!
ParathePineapple
Well-Known Member
Is there any information on when construction will start? I am planning to go for the first time this summer, and as a big fan of freshwater fish if these displays won’t be viewable that would be disappointing.
tiger stingray
Member
Construction will start late this year, so a visit this summer should be fine. I suggest you arrive before the aquarium opens because the lines to get in can be insanely long during the summer. I usually visit during free days in Jan, Feb, or Oct but due to the pandemic my last visit was Feb 2020. Enjoy your visit!
Buy your ticket online ahead of time to avoid the 5 hour line.