Colorado Springs is getting its first interactive aquarium. Jungle Reef will open March 20 inside Chapel Hills Mall, introducing an interactive aquarium experience built around education, conservation and close-up encounters with marine and exotic animals.
The family-owned attraction has spent the past several months preparing habitats and exhibit spaces designed to support a variety of aquatic and terrestrial species. Those animals and wildlife come from rescue and rehabilitation facilities because they can no longer survive in the wild.
Visitors will encounter species such as stingrays, sharks, reptiles and birds while learning about the ecosystems they come from and the challenges wildlife face. Jungle Reef will include a 60,000-gallon shark tank, a 30,000-gallon stingray tank and a 10,000-gallon koi tank. The exhibits are designed to encourage curiosity, with opportunities for guests to observe animals up close and participate in interactive experiences throughout the space, such as touching rays, holding reptiles and feeding tortoises. Mermaids will also host story times and information sessions.
Not all the exhibits will be filled for the March 20 opening. According to recent social posts by Jungle Reef, above-average March temperatures and climate control considerations made it unsafe to bring in some of the marine life, so the shark tank will be empty and some other exhibitions still in progress.
“We’re working directly with Colorado Parks & Wildlife with the goal of building living habitats, not displays, and we’re not willing to cut corners when it comes to the care of the animals we’re responsible for,” says co-owner Jon Hepworth says. “That meant taking additional time to ensure everything is done right.”
The Colorado Springs location follows the original Jungle Reef in El Paso, Texas. Hepworth started the business with his brothers in 2016, building aquariums and rescue-based exhibits that combine public education with animal care.
“My three kids haven’t had a typical childhood,” Hepworth says. “They’ve grown up around marine life rescues and building aquariums. For them, that’s just normal life.”
Jungle Reef opens at 11 a.m. on March 20. Early Bird discounted tickets are available online through opening weekend.
Lower level of Chapel Hills Mall, 1710 Briargate Blvd.
