MIAMI — South Florida will journey into Tropical America when Amazon & Beyond opens at Miami Metrozoo on December 6, 2008. The 27-acre, $50 million exhibit will showcase giant river otters that can grow to be six-feet long; jaguars, the largest cats in the western hemisphere; harpy eagles with talons the size of grizzly bear claws; and anacondas, the mightiest snakes on earth. Divided into three areas that surround the center Fiesta Plaza, the Cloud Forest, Amazon Forest and Atlantic Forest will house more than 600 animals.
“Amazon & Beyond will not only be an exceptional exhibit at Miami Metrozoo, but it will also be Miami’s next big thing! We want the impressive collection of flora and fauna to inspire everyone to protect the endangered rainforests and the amazing animals that live there. Through participation in conservation programs and by making changes in the way we use natural resources, together we can all make a positive impact,” said Ron Magill, Miami Metrozoo.
The Fiesta Plaza, adorned with brightly colored flags, will be the center of it all and the point of entry. Artifacts like dugout canoes and musical instruments from Central and South America will transport visitors
to the wild tropics. Close encounters with the smaller and friendlier creatures will be possible at an orientation pavilion. Youngsters will be invited to play on climbable folk-art-inspired animal sculptures at Parade of Life or to splash in Fiesta Children’s Fountain, a fun, jumping jets water feature, while others can catch a street theater performance of Quetzal’s World on the main stage. Here, families can also grab a snack and browse the gift shop before experiencing the three impressive regions of Amazon & Beyond.
Visitors can become acquainted with Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered-Serpent deity of ancient Mesoamerica (Central America) and one of the main gods of many Mexican and northern Central American civilizations for close to 2,000 years. This divine entity played key roles as creator. Mesoamerican priests and kings would sometimes take the name of a deity they were associated with, so Quetzalcoatl is also the name of historical persons.
Be cautious of lurking jaguars stalking you in the landscape. The powerful carnivores’ piercing stares can be felt through the small openings in the dense bamboo grove.
This annual phenomenon triggers migrations of birds, fish, and other animals and creates an unusual home for many species. Stingrays hungrily anticipate being fed by guests at the Freshwater Stingray Encounter. At nearly 30 feet in length when fully grown, the giant green anaconda cannot be missed. Be careful approaching the intimidating Orinoco crocodiles. They are the largest predators in South America growing to lengths of 16 feet and weighing almost 1,000 pounds. Witness the beauty and power of the largest eagle in the Americas, the harpy eagle, and the rainbow painted bill of the keel-billed toucans.
This major project is being undertaken by the Miami-Dade Park & Recreation Department, Miami Metrozoo and the Zoological Society of Florida, as well as the state. Major private funding is provided by Cynthia
Knight; The George E. Batchelor Foundation; the late Betty Miller and Lee Bynum; The Sara H. Woodruff Foundation and Jack and Libby Madden; Ryder System Charitable Foundation, Inc.; and Publix Super Markets Charities Inc. The designer is Seattle-based Jones & Jones Architects. The general contractor is PCL Construction Services, Inc.
