Tulsa World: Aquarium to remodel two galleries

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Aquarium to remodel two galleries

Children crawl through tunnels in this architect's rendering of changes to the Adaptation Gallery at the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks. A floor-to-ceiling tank will feature arapaima, the world's largest freshwater fish. Courtesy

By Staff Reports
Published: 7/27/2008 2:18 AM
Last Modified: 7/27/2008 4:32 AM

The Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks plans to remodel sections of its first two galleries to better visitors' experiences, and increase traffic.

The first project under way involves the Biodiversity Gallery, which features invertebrates — aquatic animals without spines. Small tanks in the back of the gallery will be replaced by a structure that resembles a large shrimp boat, and will house shrimp, horseshoe crabs and other animals.

The boat will provide guests with an interactive station to feed and touch the animals. The new structure is expected to be completed in 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 come eye-to-eye with fish. The 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, as well as freshwater stingrays. Iguanas also will be featured on an island in the exhibit.

Completion of the Adaptation Gallery is expected in March 2010.

In both cases, any fish in outmoded tanks will be relocated, according to a press release from the aquarium.

"The first five years has been a critical period for building a solid foundation, but now we can improve upon that base with these exciting changes," said Kenny Alexopoulos, deputy director and designer of the projects, in a written statement.

The two galleries were initially constructed through donations from the Anne and Henry Zarrow Family Foundation. The new features are available for sponsorship by contacting Teri Bowers, executive director and COO, at tbowers@okaquarium.org.

The aquarium is located at 300 Aquarium Drive, near the 96th Street Bridge and the Arkansas River. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday-Saturday, and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday. By Staff Reports

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