by Paul Swen
Mighty roars will echo across the hills. The skies will be adorned in radiant colors. Magnificent animals swim and romp and stalk along a winding river. Some of the most rare and priceless wonders of the world are coming to our town. The wonderful and diverse beauty of nature will be on full display. If you’ve visited the Caldwell Zoo over the past two years, you’ve realized that big things are happening. You may have wondered, “What’s going on?” or “When will we get to see what they’re building?” Great things take time. You know the saying, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” The pyramids of Egypt took decades to build. The Great Wall of China was under construction for almost two thousand years. Luckily, we don’t have to wait that long for the next awesome installation at the Caldwell Zoo. It has taken some time, serious dedication, and substantial resources, but the wait is almost over.
Amazon River’s Edge is the newest installment in the evolution of the Zoo. Over one-third of the park is under grand transformation. Tens of thousands of square feet have been dedicated to sharing the wonders of our planet’s wildest beauty. The Amazon area of South America is a vast region, spreading across nine different nations. The diversity of flora and fauna is unmatched. It is the habitat of over thirteen hundred bird species and home to some of the most alluring and thrilling animals. The Amazon may truly be the wildest place on Earth, and soon Tyler will get to explore these wonders, right here—in our own backyard! It’s rather poetic that this newest addition to the Zoo is being built on the original grounds where the Zoo opened way back in 1953. So, it’s no surprise that when the Caldwell team does something, it’s going to be great.
Let’s get a taste of what’s coming.
Be awed by the GOAT … the Greatest Of All Time goat bridges! Exploring should be fun, and the gateway to Amazon River’s Edge welcomes you in splendid style with an expansive bridge made especially for our collection of lovable, domestic goats. The herd travels every day to and from their palatial barn to visit with guests in the petting area. Connecting with animals makes a trip to the Zoo extra special, and there may be no better introduction than getting to interact with the intelligent and gentle goats. All hail the GOAT.
One of the key features of the Amazon is the abundance of water. The rainfall creates thousands of miles of waterways and feeds lush forests. Amazon River’s Edge has been designed to capture the flow of life along the all-important rivers and waterways. As you make your way to the southeast corner of the Zoo, a winding path takes you into a beautiful expanse, as if you’re entering a glade in the tropical forest. You’ll begin to hear the songs and calls of the animals that live here. A river flows along the eastern border. You may be surprised to be greeted by the barks of giant river otters, the mighty cousins of our native American species that currently live at the Zoo. But the Amazonian species of otters is almost three times the size, reaching over six feet in length, and can weigh over 150 pounds. Like their smaller cousins, giant river otters are bundles of playful energy that love the water. So, you’ll be thrilled to get up close to these talkative “river wolves” as they take full advantage of their custom-built private river habitat.
After being entertained by the boisterous otters, step inside River’s Edge Center, the beautifully designed meeting and educational building, and get up close to some of the most notorious residences of Amazonian waterways … the piranha. Inside the wood-lined walls of the center, special aquariums show off some of the smaller, but still fierce, residents of the forest. You’ve got to be tough to survive the rigors of the rainforest. This is one of the most densely packed jungles in the world, and even the smaller creatures are armed with some seriously potent defenses. Then, be fascinated by some of the more petite rainforest residents in the comfort of the lovely multi-use center. Continuing along the meandering river, various squawks, whistles, and songs guide you to a vaunting aviary that rises high into the sky. You’ll be astounded by the beauty of Cayenne and Mango, the toucans with beaks so colorful they look like they came from a crayon box. This is no normal bird sanctuary.
The Amazon Immersion invites you to step inside and be among the birds that are free to fly and nest and do what birds do. Tilly, Bell, Pablano, and Habanero, the Inca Terns, will charm you with their debonaire white “mustaches.” Smores and Cocoa, the Peruvian Thick-knees, strut along the River’s Edge and gaze at you with their distinct, large eyes. Nearby, Coconut and Lime, the Giant Wood Rails, are adding their loud voices to the chorus. These are just a few of the radiant birds that will be all around you. It’s a tour de force of sights and sounds. But this isn’t just an arboreal playground. Sharing this grand space are some of the most unique mammals of the Amazon. When you step inside Amazon Immersion, it’s best if you just slow down. Pause to look around and take it all in. There’s a magnificent abundance of life all around. Speaking of slowing down, the perfect guide is on hand, the Linne’s two-toed sloth. The sloth is all about hanging out. In fact, they prefer moving as little as possible while dangling from a sturdy limb. They are so adapted to taking it slow, their fur grows downward so rain can just flow off their bodies. And if you think “Everything’s bigger in Texas,” just wait until you see the capybara. These thick-furred cuties are representatives of the largest rodents in the world, weighing in at up to 150 pounds. And they love the water. Capybaras are perfectly adapted to the Amazon where they forage on river grasses and aquatic plants. They can even hold their breath underwater for over five minutes. That’s a useful defense against the many predators that lurk in the forests. Sharing this space is another unique, over-sized, mesmerizing creature— the giant anteater. Of the four anteater species in the world, this is the largest. With a splendidly adapted twelve-inch nose (that houses a specialized 24” tongue) and a luxurious tail, these insectivores are a wondrous sight to behold. There’s so much diversity here, and you’re in the midst of it all. The Amazonian Forest is vast. After taking in the sights and sounds of the aviary, there’s so much more to explore. You may hear strange calls rolling down the hill. Hoarse, guttural sounds echo across the pathways, calling you to the west. You’ll pass the Education Station along the way, the meeting place where young minds join with experts to perform deep dives into
the wonders of nature. This “field station” gives curious adventurers the chance to learn about the balance of the wilderness through fun and exciting experiences.
As you continue uphill, your path is adorned with splashes of vibrant color. Radiant reds, brilliant blues, rich greens, and golden yellows literally dance among the trees. Macaws, the magnificent and lively parrots, are prancing on their customized, outdoor perches. Ted and R.J. will catch your eye with their rich emerald wings. Amelia and Bonnie will certainly vie for your attention with their striking ruby-red feathers. And you’ll probably want to pay homage to Qbert and Azul, the hyacinth macaws, who represent the largest parrot species on the planet. The Amazon is home to the greatest assortment of birds in the world. In fact, the area is home to about one-third of all species on planet Earth. The multiple species of macaws that grace Amazon River’s Edge give a tantalizing example of the incredible diversity of animals that come from this region.
But there’s more that lurks in the forest. Strange noises waft on the breeze as your path climbs to the west. There’s movement among the trees as monkeys move from limb to limb. Welcome to the world of primates. If your timing is right, you might catch Jasper and Ryder performing their unique call. As their name implies, howler monkeys are famous for their booming vocalizations. Thanks to an enlarged chest and unique skeletal structure, these new-world primates produce the loudest calls of all land mammals. Yes, even louder than the roar of the mighty African lion. The howls of these monkeys top the charts and can be heard from three miles away. Next to the rather boisterous howlers are some more demur gems of the treetops, the tamarins. If howlers take the day for loudest of all monkeys, tamarins may win for absolute charm. There are two species that call the Caldwell Zoo “home” … the golden lion and the cotton-topped. Both are absolutely precious. As the name implies, golden lion tamarins are resplendent in luscious, amber-colored fur, accented by a regal mane. Right next door lives one of the rarest monkeys of all, the captivating cotton-topped tamarins. It’s hard not to be delighted by their overall cuteness. Their black and white coats are adorned with a glorious crown of snow-white fur atop their expressive faces. These intelligent monkeys are well adapted to life in the trees, thanks to their prehensile tails. This adaptation helps protect them from predators while allowing them to stay active by leaping from branch to branch in the canopy of their habitats.
Speaking of predators, the rigors of life in the Amazon demand strength, cunning, and stealth. So, it’s little wonder that one of the world’s most adept hunters stalks among the shadows. The jaguar is the largest cat in the Americas and the third greatest on the planet. Only the tiger and lion surpass it in size, but certainly not in hunting prowess. The exquisite coat with its pattern of rosettes creates that perfect camouflage among the tangles of grasses and trees of the forests and savannas. This is a true apex predator that feasts at the top of the food chain. Jaguars make the most of their surroundings and feed on just about anything they can latch on to. Their strength is legendary, as they can conquer prey that is several times larger than they are. Some are even known to specialize in hunting caiman, South American cousins to the alligator. Parker is the resident master of his domain at the Zoo and a prime example of the perfect blend of regal beauty and refined power. Local tribes of Central and South America consider jaguars to be spirit animals that epitomize warriors and royalty. If you lock eyes with Parker, you may understand why these majestic felines have earned such adoration.
Yes, Amazon River’s Edge will be full of some of the most dynamic examples of wildlife and wild places. But it’s far more than just a place to see animals. This is a center that will inspire curiosity to learn, share, and grow. The new expanse will be a hub for the community with meeting spaces, an excellent education program, and a beautiful place to make memories with friends and family. The Caldwell Zoo has been a cornerstone of the community for over seventy years. This newest addition, built right on the original grounds of the Zoo, will continue the mission of connecting people with wildlife and enhancing their appreciation for the natural world.
Editor’s Note: Since the Amazon River’s Edge is under construction, some photographs are representative of the future Caldwell Zoo residents.