2022 News: On February 8th, the aquarium announced that their (0.1) green sea turtle named Dot passed away in early December 2021 due to health complications. Log into Facebook On April 26th, the aquarium announced that due to avian influenza, they moved their red-tailed hawk, American kestrel, and barn owl, among other birds off exhibit. Their bald eagle and the waterfowl indoors will still be on exhibit with protective features such as raised barriers. Avian restrictions were lifted in August. Log into Facebook Log into Facebook on May 13th, the aquarium announced they have renamed their (1.1) North American river otters to Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher. Log into Facebook On June 16th, the aquarium announced they have produced (0.0.3000) Wyoming toad tadpole which will be released in the wild in the next couple of weeks. Log into Facebook On June 30th, it was announced they have received $30,108 from the AZA and the US Fish and Wildlife Service for the care of endangered species More Than $9 Million Awarded for Endangered Species Care During Pandemic | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service On August 29th, it was reported that the aquarium is undergoing a $1.3 million renovation which will include new animals (giant Pacific octopus, seahorses, lionfish, Garibaldi, etc), new tanks highlighting the Pacific Northwest, Gulf of California, and New England, as well as other places such as a kelp forest and Florida reef. Construction starts on September 6th and will be completed around January 2023. River museum set to embark on $1.3 million renovation On August 30th, the aquarium announced they have released various unspecified species of fish into the Gulf of Mexico tank. Log into Facebook On September 13th, it was reported that the aquarium will receive a $200,000 grant to finish its Rivers to the Sea gallery, which will open in late winter 2023. National Mississippi River Museum to receive $200,000 grant to complete sea gallery
The stingray area will be closed for at least the next couple of weeks as they wait for the necropsies and toxicology results to try and figure out why eight of the rays suddenly died on thursday. National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium on Instagram: "It is with heavy hearts our Living Collections team at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium announces the Delta in the National River Center is closed today, and stingray feedings and touch tank capabilities are on hold until further notice as staff and the veterinary care team investigates the cause of death of eight stingrays on Thursday. The cause of death will not be confirmed until necropsy results, water quality testing and toxicology reports are complete. Results could take up to several weeks. The Delta is expected to reopen Friday, December 23; however, touching and stingray feedings will be discontinued until further notice. The River Museum remains open during regular hours and visitors are asked to check the website for any updates related to the Delta exhibit. Please keep our team in your thoughts during this heartbreaking time. Our staff at the River Museum deeply care for the animals here, and any loss is extremely difficult."
I didn't even know there was a touchpool. It must have been added since I last visited, but I suppose that would have been about a decade ago.
On January 21st, 2023, the aquarium announced that they acquired (0.0.2+) cownose rays from an unspecified regional AZA facility which are now on exhibit in the former touch tank exhibit. The aquarium also announced that the cause of death of the (0.0.8) cownose rays was gas bubble disease. Alarm systems that were supposed to alert staff failed, and were replaced. On January 18, staff welcomed additional Cownose Rays, raised in human care, from a regional Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility.... | By National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium | Facebook On March 2nd, the aquarium opened a new exhibit, the Eckstein Rivers to the Seas gallery, to the public. The exhibit contains 100 species in 12 tanks, a model Marshallese outrigger canoe, and interactive areas. Rivers to the Sea Ribbon Cutting 2023 | It’s official! ✂️ It was a great day for a celebration and the opening of the Eckstein Rivers to the Sea, Honoring Marquette Transportation’s Maritime... | By National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium | Facebook Coming Soon to the River Museum: Rivers to the Sea Opens March 3 On June 28th, it was reported that the aquarium celebrated 20 years since its opening in 2003. Mississippi River Museum 20 years On July 4th, it was reported that the aquarium launched the Preserve the Wonder campaign which among other things, will help fund the expansion of the North American river otter exhibit, the improvement of the American paddlefish exhibit, and general improvements for the well-being of the animals on-site. It was also reported that the campaign has already raised $9.2 million out of the $12.75 million goal. National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium sets $12.75 million fundraising goal
This Giving Tuesday, the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium is asking for donations to help with the previously-mentioned renovations of the Mississippi River Discovery Center. This includes an expansion to the North American River Otter exhibit, providing them with three times more space and both indoor and outdoor areas. It also includes exhibits for things like Freshwater Mussels, Massasaugas, Mudpuppies, Wyoming Toads, and the old outdoor otter exhibit will be renovated to house diving ducks, herons, turtles, and fish.
1/6/2024 News/Updates There was a male Common Goldeneye on exhibit in the Backwater Marsh exhibit Three Wyoming Toads are on display now The corner tank in the Wetlab is now missing, and it appears the fish were added to the Greater Siren tank There were unsigned fish added to the American Alligator exhibit There are no longer crayfish in the crayfish tank and were replaced by Central Stonerollers and Central Mudminnows It appears the female Cownose Ray that survived the accident is back on exhibit Juvenile Lookdowns are still on exhibit in the former Mangrove Tank The tank that former housed the blue American Lobster had Spot Shrimp and Red Irish Lord in it There is now a Horn Shark on exhibit in the Kelp Forest tank There is an Oyster Toadfish on exhibit in the Lionfish tank, formerly from the Mangrove tank
