A scarlet macaw at the Amazon River's Edge at Caldwell Zoo. These social birds have exceptionally long tails and wingspans of around six feet. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

The Caldwell Zoo has officially opened its highly anticipated Amazon River’s Edge exhibit, bringing a vibrant piece of the rainforest to East Texas. The 7-acre exhibit immerses visitors in the wonders of the Amazon with a diverse collection of wildlife.

“We’re really excited about Amazon River’s Edge and sharing it with the community,” said Scott Maddox, Chief Operating Officer of Caldwell Zoo.

Zoo officials say that with this new offering, they’ve “built a real slice of the rainforest right here in Tyler.” Guests are transported to the vibrant heart of the Amazon where they discover a wonderful variety of animals in thoughtfully designed habitats that were created to support the health of the animals and provide special enrichment opportunities.

Built on the zoo’s oldest grounds, the South America section, the new exhibit features a variety of animals including Linne’s Two-toed Sloth, capybaras, giant river otters, and jaguars. Visitors will also encounter giant anteaters, brown howler monkeys, and vibrant birds like scarlet ibises, sunbitterns, toucans, and herons. The exhibit is home to piranhas, poison dart frogs, and endangered species such as cotton-topped tamarins and golden lion tamarins, providing a rare glimpse into the Amazon’s unique wildlife.

A standout attraction is the giant river otters — who can stand at almost 6 feet tall. “We have a brand new habitat with underwater viewing, but the really cool thing about the giant river otters is their activity level,” Maddox said. “They almost never sit still. They’re so energetic and fun to watch. They’re extremely vocal, make a lot of noise, and just put on a great show.”

The exhibit also features the River’s Edge Center, a community space for events, with a viewing window into the otter habitat and an aquarium showcasing piranhas. The center also includes a catering kitchen. Additionally, the exhibit boasts a “flex habitat” and an Exploration Station to support educational programs.

The exhibit’s opening comes after four years of planning, design and construction.

“… Amazon River’s Edge is finally a reality,” said Maddox. “We’re all thrilled with how everything turned out. This is the most extensive project in Caldwell Zoo history and it proves to be well worth the wait. All of the teams involved – architects, engineers, landscaping experts and animal care professionals, have done an outstanding job in bringing this vision to fruition in such a spectacular fashion.”

Planning for the exhibit began in 2019, but progress slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Construction resumed in 2021, with demolition of old structures marking the start of a nearly two-year effort. The exhibit came closer to completion in late 2024, then the opening came in the spring once the animals were gradually acclimated to their new surroundings.

“We did it quietly because it’s a new home for the animals… we’re all about the well-being of the animals,” Maddox said. “It’s one of our top priorities, and so we wanted them to have an opportunity to be acclimated.”

With no prior announcement, Maddox said the zoo removed the barricades one Monday morning, and visitors gradually walked into Amazon River’s Edge.

“Doing it that way offered an opportunity for the animals to get used to people without it being too much at once,” he said. “But after that, word got out pretty quickly… attendance pretty much shot up.”

Some animals, like the giant river otters, adapted quickly to their new audience, while others, such as some of the birds and the anteater, kept their distance at first. “Our animal care staff are monitoring all of the animals’ behavior to ensure they stay comfortable and don’t get stressed out,” Maddox said. “So far, it’s going very well.”

Among the recent visitors, Lorenzo Myles traveled from Wichita, Kansas, to visit family in East Texas and decided to enjoy a day at the zoo.

“We came here a long time ago when I was younger, so it’s been a while since we’ve been here,” he said. “We’re really excited to see everything. I know the baby likes all the tigers and stuff like that, so we’re excited to see if she’ll like it.”

His wife, Lexi, was visiting the zoo for the first time. “We have a big zoo in Wichita too, and I’d say it’s very similar,” she said. “But I’m looking forward to seeing the new exhibit and what it has to offer.”

One of Tyler’s top attractions, the Caldwell Zoo has been part of the community since 1953. Originally founded by DK Caldwell in his backyard in Tyler, the zoo has since grown into a major attraction, housing over 3,000 animals from more than 200 species across 300 acres.

“It’s become pretty much a cornerstone of the Tyler community,” Maddox said. “We love seeing families come out here and enjoy connecting with wildlife.”

Located at 2203 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Tyler, the zoo is dedicated to wildlife conservation and works with local and national organizations to protect endangered species through education, research, and breeding programs.

While Amazon River’s Edge is the zoo’s newest addition, it’s not the last. Plans are already underway to revitalize other areas of the zoo.

“If you don’t refresh, then it gets old and falls apart,” Maddox said. “So we’ll be paying close attention to that next piece of real estate and developing the next set of plans, whether it’s North America or something else.”

The zoo has received positive feedback from visitors about Amazon River’s Edge, and Maddox sees the new exhibit as a glimpse into the zoo’s future: “It’s a testament to what’s possible in the future because it’s beautiful,” he said. “We’d love for everyone to come and enjoy it.”

For more information or how you can plan your visit, go to caldwellzoo.org.