Arizona's Only Major Public Aquarium Now Open at Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium

After nearly 7 years of planning and construction, the only public aquarium located between Albuquerque and San Diego opened its doors on Saturday, December 20th, 2008.

The all-new Wildlife World Aquarium's campus-like design is unique with some 75 indoor exhibits featuring fish, mammals, birds, invertebrates, amphibians, and reptiles located in three recently completed buildings. Each building has a different title and theme: The Diversity of Life in Water; The Wild and The Wonderful; and Predators. Notable aquarium species include: black tip reef sharks, black-footed penguins, eels, stingrays, seahorses, barracuda, jellyfish, Nile and dwarf crocodiles -- nearly 150 new aquatic and semi-aquatic species in all. The total volume of display tanks, not including miles of plumbing and life support, several new water features, and a log flume ride, contain approximately 180,000 gallons of water.

There are also outdoor exhibits including the zoo's 5th ride attraction, a Log Flume Ride. Like its predecessors, the African Safari Train, the Australian Boat, and the idearc media Sky-ride, the flume ride is integrated into live animal exhibits. At 1500 feet long, the journey begins by giving riders a close up view of primate islands that feature spider monkeys and capuchin monkeys. Riders then enter a 20-foot long acrylic tunnel -- the largest section of acrylic ever installed in Arizona -- surrounded by South Pacific Reef fish. The trip closes by soaking riders as they plummet three stories into a splash pool.

The aquarium is not the only new facility guests will notice. Visitors to the Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium will enjoy a new park entrance complete with paved, lighted and always free parking. The entrance sits at the corner of Northern and Sarival Avenues, just east of the intersection of state route 303 and Northern in Litchfield Park. This two-story landmark has an inviting central breezeway with multiple ticket windows. Plus, the new gift shop located at the west end features terrestrial zoo animal items while the east gift shop specializes in aquatic animal merchandise.

The new indoor Aquarium and extended hours of operation promise to make Wildlife World a year round family-fun and dining destination. The largest structure in the complex, the Predator building, not only holds real sharks and stingrays, but is also the site of the Tiburón Aquarium Restaurant and Flamingo Lounge!

Imagine dining indoors with awe-inspiring views of sharks swimming right past your table. From every seat in the main dining room, patrons can view some of the ocean's top predators through two massive acrylic panels that span the 60,000 gallon tank. The menu features a variety of sustainable seafood, steaks, chicken, salad, pasta and decadent desserts with a Southwestern flare. Or, enjoy outdoor seating in the Flamingo Lounge, which overlooks a new water feature with dozens of graceful Caribbean flamingos.

Both the Tiburón Restaurant and Flamingo Lounge are open to the public (admission to the aquarium not required) serving lunch and dinner daily from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information call (623) 535-4249 or visit www.TiburonRestaurant.net.

Located along the western edge of the Phoenix metropolitan area in Litchfield Park, the Wildlife World Zoo first opened its doors in 1984. With the opening of the Aquarium, Wildlife World has solidified its position as home to Arizona's largest collection of exotic animals with over 3000 animals representing nearly 600 species. More than 500,000 people, including some 75,000 students, visit annually. As a privately owned and operated institution, Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium relies solely on gate attendance and retail sales to generate its operating and capital budgets. It receives zero public tax support, grants, or financial donations.

The Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium is located at 16501 W. Northern Ave., Litchfield Park, AZ 85340. We are open 365 days a year. Zoo exhibits are open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aquarium exhibits are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission to the zoo and aquarium is $27.50 for adults and $14.25 for children 3 to 12 (plus state sales tax), children under three are free. Special evening-only admission (after 5 p.m.) to the Aquarium is $16.99 for adults and $8.99 for children 3 to 12 (plus state sales tax).