![]() ![]() ![]() 1 concern, the sloth’s appearances will be limited for the time-being until trainers determine that a stable foundation has been established. She will eventually make regular appearances at the aquarium, but officials say with animal welfare being the facility’s No. She’s currently working with her trainers to establish relationships based on trust. Like the other animals, Coconut will need time to settle into her new home. ![]() Louis Aquarium critters, ranging from sugar gliders and turtles to snakes, to enhance visitors’ experiences and create educational opportunities. Louis AquariumĪs an animal ambassador, Coconut joins other St. Sawyer, one of three ambassador otters at the aquarium photo courtesy of St. Coconut will be stationed at the Animal Encounters area on the second floor and eventually be rotated into a schedule with the other animal ambassadors. Louis Aquarium, says the sloth will initially make appearances early in the day, usually soon after the aquarium opens. Kat Echevarria, animal care manager of training at the St. She is a juvenile female who will turn one year old on February 20, 2020. photo by Trish Muyco-TobinĬoconut is a Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth, who will turn a year old this month on Feb. Louis Aquarium at Union Station: Coconut the Sloth made her debut this morning as the aquarium’s newest animal ambassador. There’s another creature who will soon be ready for her close-up at the St. One of three possible operators should be chosen in the next couple of weeks, he said.Coconut the Sloth is held by her trainer, Kat Echevarria, animal care manager of training at the St. The facility will be an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, but O’Loughlin said it will be up to the operator to hire the marine biologists and aquarists. Union Station previously received $18 million in tax increment financing and historic credits for its upgrades, which will be used in part to fund the aquarium. O’Loughlin said the $45 million project will not cost any additional taxpayer dollars. “We hope this will be another attraction where you’ll spend an extra day or you’ll dovetail it into part of your visit,” he said.īut O’Loughlin said the new development isn’t just a fluke, but plays into Union Station’s broader plan to create a “family entertainment complex” akin to Navy Pier in Chicago. O’Loughlin said he expects the new attraction will draw 1 million visitors annually. Louis to find a nearby aquarium - that’s Shedd Aquarium in Chicago,” said Brian Hall of Explore St. “Right now, for an aquarium experience, you have to travel hundreds of miles from St. The plan is to attract people who don’t want to travel far for an aquarium and who are already visiting other downtown tourist sites. to 7 p.m., and O’Loughlin said ticket prices may range between $12 and $20. The aquarium will be open every day from 9 a.m. Louis Aquarium shows a stingray pool, while escalators take visitors to the second floor of exhibits.Ĭonstruction is expected to start next spring and the project completed by the summer of 2018. But most importantly it will be an exceptional educational experience exposing thousands of children to the wonder and beauty of the water world.”Ī rendering of the new St. It will become an even stronger anchor for the central corridor and the western edge of downtown St. “And it will no doubt kick start other investment in development in the nearby area. “This new aquarium will become a destination location in the heart of our city,” he said. Louis Mayor Francis Slay praised O’Loughlin’s “great vision,” saying the project will support “hundreds of construction and service industry jobs and boost tourism. “We felt it was the right move and so we’re moving forward with it.” Louis should have?’ And it kept coming back to an aquarium,” he said. It will also include a gift shop, 8,500- square-feet of private event space with the shark tank as a backdrop, and possibly a themed restaurant in the old Houlihan’s space.īob O’Loughlin, chief executive officer of Lodging Hospitality Management and Union Station owner, said the “thrilling” attraction will be family-oriented and “a centerpiece” for the location. A planned v-shaped rope bridge will suspend visitors above the shark tank. Louis Aquarium will display thousands of aquatic species, such as stingrays and fish in 1 million gallons of water in the complex's former mall area. Louis and they say it will feature one of the largest collections of sharks in the Midwest. Developers are planning to build a $45 million aquarium is Union Station near downtown St. ![]()
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