Garry the Gator from the Newport Aquarium

In time for Spring Break, Newport Aquarium has opened its newest exhibit, Canyon Falls. One of the residents, Garry the Gator takes time out to stop by with his pal, Alle Barber, Conservation Program Manager, WAVE Foundation at the Newport Aquarium. She shares insights in to the Gator population and some inside info on the new Canyon Falls exhibit.

Canyon Falls, occupies the area that formerly housed the Turtle Canyon exhibit, and is the new home to Asian small-clawed otters and some of the world’s most unique reptiles.

“Our guests spoke to us about the desire to bring back otters to Newport Aquarium and we heard them loud and clear,” said Chris Pierson, Newport Aquarium operations director. “From Asian small-clawed otters, to very rare species of lizards, Canyon Falls will offer guests a number of opportunities to experience and learn about the conservation of some truly unique animals.”

Asian small-clawed otters are back at Newport Aquarium by popular demand as Canyon Falls will initially feature two otters – Neda (female), who came from Kansas City Zoo, and Pork Chop (male), who came from National Zoo in Washington, D.C. The exhibit will offer guests multiple vantage points to see these playful and social animals up close and personal.

In addition to otters, Canyon Falls includes two species of lizard never before seen at Newport Aquarium – yellow monitors, rare and active tree-dwelling lizards from Indonesia, and panther chameleons, one of the most colorful lizards in the world from Madagascar.

Canyon Falls also features two popular holdovers from Turtle Canyon: the iconic Thunder, a more than 100-year-old, 155-pound snapping turtle and Newport Aquarium’s oldest resident, will remain in the temple tank; and the Turtle Corral, where guests have the unique opportunity to touch several species of tortoises.

For more information on Newport Aquarium, visit NewportAquarium.com or call toll free 800-406-FISH (3474).