by Paul Swen
As the sun’s golden rays paint the treetops, mysterious and wild sounds are carried in the morning breeze. Beautiful, radiant birds unfold their colorful wings. Predators stretch as they emerge from their night dens. Playful primates race among the vines searching for tasty treats. The gentle splashing of a waterfall rises from the flowing river. The jungle is springing to life. As bold explorers step into this beautiful oasis, their exclamations rise above the jungle’s natural chorus. “Wow! This is amazing!” Welcome to Amazon River’s Edge.
“Yes, it’s finally open,” exclaims Hayes Caldwell, Interim President and CEO. “This is definitely the largest, most complex project ever undertaken at Caldwell Zoo. It has taken over four years of planning and construction to complete, but it has exceeded our expectations. Now, we are really excited to share this new addition with our community.”
“I am extremely proud of our staff and what they have accomplished in making the Amazon River’s Edge come to a reality.”
And the entire Zoo team deserves to be proud. The scope is beyond impressive. The attention to detail is meticulous. The design of the habitats is outstanding. And of course, the focus on the animals shows incredible insight and care. This delivers a guest experience that will make each visit truly memorable. It takes genuine expertise to pull off a project of such grand scale and the Caldwell team absolutely proved their mettle. “This has really been a labor of love,” shares Scott Maddox, Chief Operating Officer. “From the start, when we began discussing the idea, we all agreed it had to be extraordinary. We wanted it to be great. Great for the animals and something genuinely special for our visitors. Amazon River’s Edge is built on the oldest part of the Zoo. We didn’t just want to refurbish what was there. We wanted to create something that inspires. So, we pulled together the experts to make sure the vision came to life. And here it is.”
When you first lay eyes on Amazon River’s Edge, the vision and exquisite planning are obvious. Spanning over seven acres, the new area provides wonderful views with highlights all along the meandering pathways. There’s so much to explore with excellent opportunities to engage with animals in truly unique ways. As the name implies, this new addition focuses on the Amazon River Basin of South America. This area was chosen by Caldwell Zoo for good reasons. The Amazon is famous for its dense rainforests and flowing waterways that provide a concentration of life. It’s one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world. The rainforests are home to an incredible array of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The area is so vast that new species are still being discovered today. The region is also rich in plant life and minerals. An abundance of valuable products is found there, such as timber, rubber, coffee, nuts, iron, gold, and gemstones, just to name a few. This richness also comes with a price. Ranching and the extraction of the raw materials are reducing the natural habitats of the animals and polluting the waterways. Now, many species that live there have become threatened or endangered.
“The Amazon Basin is home to some of the world’s most fascinating wildlife,” shares Scotty Stainback, Curator of Mammals. “The rainforests provide excellent habitats to such a vast variety of animal species. It’s somewhat like a land of extremes. It’s home to apex predators, like the jaguar, the largest feline in all of the Americas, capybara, the world’s largest rodent, giant river otters and giant anteaters all live here. But, at the same time, it’s also the domain of more delicate mammals like tamarins and sloths. So, we want to connect people with these amazing animals so they can learn more about them.” Amazon River’s Edge is designed to allow guests to experience wildlife in beautiful, unobstructive views. The habitats are made to give the animals homes that reflect their wild heritage and allow guests to see them up close. And it’s not just for the mammals. The birds of the Amazon definitely deserve special attention as well. The diversity of bird species is second to none. In Amazon River’s Edge our feathered friends are truly allowed to spread their wings.
“We always try to engage people with wildlife,” says Yvonne Stainback, Curator of Birds and Reptiles. “Most people will never have the chance to visit the Amazon. So, this new addition is built to give guests unique experiences with these amazing animals. When you see these animals so close, you really see how spectacular they are and then, you can’t help but care. And that way, we can all work together to ensure that they flourish for generations to come.”
Amazon River’s Edge definitely succeeds in creating awe and wonder. It starts at the point of entry. Looming large over the pathway is the GOAT of all goat bridges. Yes, that’s right, like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the domestic goats of Caldwell get their own very special entrance. Every morning the beloved goats of the zoo leave their barn and boldly march across their impressive bridge as they make their way to the new petting area. But this bold structure isn’t simply a right of passage, it serves as engagement for both the goats and guests. “Our goats are pretty dang smart,” explains Hayley Braggs, Animal Keeper. “The bridge has a feature built in that allows the goats to give themselves treats.” A system of cables and wheels runs from the ground level to the bridge above. By rotating a wheel, the intrepid goats lift a basket to receive tasty snacks. “This engages our goats and is fun for our visitors, too. We like to keep things interesting!” The bridge and petting area definitely create joy for goats and guests alike.
As you make your way under the bridge, be prepared to be greeted like never before. Meet Salvador and Mazaruni, the giant river otters who have boundless enthusiasm and equal charm. “Giant” accurately describes their size and energy level. These two seem to be in constant motion as they swim, slide and dive in their section of river that runs through this new part of the park. “They’re amazing,” says Misti Simmons, Keeper of Mammals. “Obviously, they are new here, but they’re already stealing the hearts of everyone. Both of them are so vocal. Mazaruni, the female, likes to chatter and Salvador, the male, makes these cute squeak sounds.” Their swimming prowess is on full display as they playfully galivant through their habitat. “They have so much personality,” Misti continues. “In the wild, they feed on fish, and we replicate that here. They’ve made it clear that their favorite meal is tilapia, followed by rainbow trout. Yes, they have high standards and rightfully so.” Mazaruni and Salvador are like ambassadors for the entire Amazon, engaging every visitor with wild grace and vigor.
Next door, you can step inside the elegant River’s Edge Center. Inside live some of the more mysterious creatures of the forest. A resplendent emerald boa lounges along a tree limb, poison dart frogs, the colors of gemstones, hop among the leaves and red piranhas show off their speed in their customized aquarium. Although these species can seem frightening to some, they all play crucial roles in the delicate balance of their native homelands. They are also very sensitive to changes in their environment. Dare to learn about each of these species and you are sure to appreciate their importance to the rainforests. River’s Edge Center is built to be a multi-use space with state-of-the-art technology and fine entertaining features. Now, Caldwell Zoo can host special events for educational and entertainment purposes like never before. This beautiful space is sure to be a real asset to our community as we come together to celebrate the wonders of nature.
Right next door is the spectacular Amazon Immersion. Here, you don’t simply get to see animals, you actually step inside their habitat. This soaring aviary is home to a delightful array of birds and fascinating mammals as well. They all live together in happy harmony. Brilliant species like the sunbittern and scarlet ibis are free to fly among the trees as the herons and an array of waterfowl stroll along the flowing waterway. This giant space is also the home of the super cute capybaras, Ruby and Coco, Xander, the giant anteater, and the uber adorable Tempo, the Linne’s two-toed sloth. On any given day, you may find the capybaras grazing along the riverbank and relaxing in the cool waters. You may also be surprised at the swimming prowess of Xander, the anteater. He seems to like taking a dip in the river as he searches for his favorite insect delicacies. And then there’s Tempo, the mellow, amiable, slow-moving heartthrob. “Although sloths are kind of famous for being slow, Tempo actually gets around pretty quickly when he wants to,” says Adam Brown, another Keeper of Mammals. “Tempo loves grapes, and he’ll climb all around his vines and limbs to get his favorite food.” This engagement keeps him healthy and fit. You know it’s not all that easy to hang upside down all day. But Tempo makes it look easy, and he seems to really enjoy the attention from the guests. It’s impossible not to smile as he dangles from a limb and lets the wind blow through his luxurious fur.
As you exit the aviary, you’ll spy a dazzling parade of color among the trees. Macaws and parrots dance and squawk along the branches to delight passersby. “These birds are so intelligent and engaging,” states Nichole Moore, Supervisor of Birds. “They enjoy being out in the open where they can interact with visitors. Of course, their beaks are super strong. So, their trees are positioned to be safe for both birds and people. But it’s great how closely the birds and people can engage with each other.” These birds are so charismatic that the wild populations of many species dropped to dangerous levels due to the pet trade and habitat loss. Nichole continues, “Many of the species we have at Caldwell Zoo face real challenges in the wild, like the hyacinth macaws and scarlet macaws. They are so beautiful, and they need our support. So, people can visit them here and help us protect the wild populations.”
But there’s more action bounding among the treetops. Come meet some seriously alluring primates. Jasper and Coco are howler monkeys who have mastered the art of basking in the sun. Jasper, the female, glides effortlessly from limb to limb as she tries to coax the super chill Coco into some play time. Both of these New World monkeys are keen to interact with their keepers. Alli Luebke, one of their Mammals Keepers, shares a little insight. “Jasper is a bit more outgoing. She’ll slap her hands and make little grunting noises. Coco is more laid back, but we’ve found he’ll do just about anything for some tasty marmoset jelly.” It’s good to know the preferences of these particular primates. These sizeable monkeys stand in strong contrast to their neighbors, the tamarins. Amazon River’s Edge is now home to some of the rarest primates in the Americas. Cotton-topped tamarins and golden lion tamarins are off the chart in cuteness. They are so petite, many visitors think they must be young, but make no mistake, Mani, Carleigh, Basil, and Nema are full grown monkeys. It’s partially because of their good looks that these species have become so rare, many were caught for the illegal pet trade. Now, they are protected and accredited facilities like Caldwell Zoo work to build up the populations. You’ll surely be captivated by the very expressive personalities and the speed they move through the trees of their habitat.
Above it all, lording over his domain, is the true king of the jungle. His eyes pierce right through you. His coat is fit for royalty. His strength is legendary. Pay homage to Parker, the mighty jaguar. Michelle Shockley, Supervisor of Mammals, knows him well. “Oh, he’s king alright. We all have the utmost respect for Parker. He’s so handsome and regal and he knows it. He’s very attentive. He’ll watch wherever we go. He likes to know everything that is happening in his kingdom.” Suiting royalty, Parker has an expansive habitat, complete with a private pool and room to roam. Unlike many cats, jaguars have adapted to use water to their advantage. They are adept swimmers, and in their native homelands, some will even hunt caiman, a relative of our alligators. They are the epitome of apex predators, keeping the balance wherever they prowl. Parker’s new habitat is suited to honing his natural instincts with the addition of a special area connected to his main quarters. Michelle explains, “The Flex Habitat is made so we can safely bring other animals, like a goat or capybara, to a space outside their main habitat. This engages them to explore and graze. After a while, we take them back to their usual space and then we can open the Flex Habitat to Parker.” His keen sense of smell compels Parker to investigate who dared to enter his realm and predator skills are engaged to keep his mind and body perfectly tuned.
When you visit Amazon River’s Edge it’s immediately obvious that everything was wonderfully designed. The habitats are beautiful, that landscaping is abundant, the architecture is delightful, and there’s room to gather and mingle. And that’s just what is visible. To bring this to life and maintain such strong aesthetics, there’s miles of cabling, complex water filtration, and electrical systems that are carefully out of view. Again, it’s all about providing the best care for the animals. They need clean water, perfectly prepared meals, and unfailing climate control. It takes a lot to build such a delightful zoo.
Hayes Caldwell adds some insight, “D.K. Caldwell opened the original zoo because he believed in the power of education, especially for small children. The philosophy that he and his wife Lottie championed was, Learning Through Fun. As we began planning the Amazon River’s Edge, it was paramount that we carry their legacy forward. We want the East Texas community to be proud of what is here and we want to continue to make good things happen.”