After five years of planning, design, construction and animal acquisition, Caldwell Zoo ’s long-awaited Amazon River’s Edge will soon be ready for a soft opening. “The goals of zoos have evolved over time,” said brand director Paul Swen. “The region of Caldwell Zoo that highlighted animals from South America was the oldest part of the Zoo.
We wanted to expand the area and make it more fun and alluring to all our guests.” The development of the Amazon exhibit began with a simple goal: to transform a part of the zoo into something engaging and truly special. Once the Amazon was chosen as the theme, a team researched animals that would offer great guest interaction while also serving as meaningful ambassadors for their species.
From there, the architectural plans took shape, with a focus on creating the best possible habitats for each animal. Every detail was carefully considered, and the project took over two years of construction to bring this vision to life. “The actual Amazon is one of the most bio-diverse regions on the planet,” Swen said.
“Not only is the Amazon rich with animal species and abundant with minerals and raw products, the rainforests are crucial to Earth’s oxygen generation. So, we wanted to share the beauty and the vastness of this area.” Water plays a vital role in the Amazon ecosystem and is a key feature in the design of the exhibit.
Jaguars are the largest cats in the Americas and can crush bones with their powerful jaws. Soon, guest.