Photo Gallery | Memphis Zoo opens first interactive stingray, shark exhibit

Memphis Zoo opens first interactive stingray, shark exhibit

Submitted by Ashli Blow, New Media Content Producer

Thursday, February 28th, 2013, 6:24pm

Dozens of stingrays and sharks will be swimming along at the Memphis Zoo this spring, now the question is — will you reach out and touch one? (Full story below)

Dozens of stingrays and sharks will be swimming along at the Memphis Zoo this spring, now the question is — will you reach out and touch one? (Full story below)

Dozens of stingrays and sharks will be swimming along at the Memphis Zoo this spring, now the question is — will you reach out and touch one? (Full story below)

Dozens of stingrays and sharks will be swimming along at the Memphis Zoo this spring, now the question is — will you reach out and touch one? (Full story below)

Dozens of stingrays and sharks will be swimming along at the Memphis Zoo this spring, now the question is — will you reach out and touch one? (Full story below)

Dozens of stingrays and sharks will be swimming along at the Memphis Zoo this spring, now the question is — will you reach out and touch one? (Full story below)

Dozens of stingrays and sharks will be swimming along at the Memphis Zoo this spring, now the question is — will you reach out and touch one? (Full story below)

Dozens of stingrays and sharks will be swimming along at the Memphis Zoo this spring, now the question is — will you reach out and touch one? (Full story below)

Photo Source: Steve Reichling

Dozens of stingrays and sharks will be swimming along at the Memphis Zoo this spring, now the question is — will you reach out and touch one? (Full story below)

Dozens of stingrays and sharks will be swimming along at the Memphis Zoo this spring, now the question is — will you reach out and touch one? (Full story below)

Dozens of stingrays and sharks will be swimming along at the Memphis Zoo this spring, now the question is — will you reach out and touch one? (Full story below)

Dozens of stingrays and sharks will be swimming along at the Memphis Zoo this spring, now the question is — will you reach out and touch one? (Full story below)

Dozens of stingrays and sharks will be swimming along at the Memphis Zoo this spring, now the question is — will you reach out and touch one? (Full story below)

Dozens of stingrays and sharks will be swimming along at the Memphis Zoo this spring, now the question is — will you reach out and touch one? (Full story below)

Dozens of stingrays and sharks will be swimming along at the Memphis Zoo this spring, now the question is — will you reach out and touch one? (Full story below)

Dozens of stingrays and sharks will be swimming along at the Memphis Zoo this spring, now the question is — will you reach out and touch one?

Many Mid-Southerns will have the opportunity to do just that starting this Friday at Stingray Bay.

It's the first interactive marine exhibit at the Memphis Zoo.

There will be 20 cownose stingrays. Also, the pool will have southern stingrays.

Bamboo sharks and bonnethead sharks, who are part of the hammer head family, will also be in the 17,000 gallon salt water pool.

This exhibit is seasonal and will only be at the Zoo until October.

Although Stingray Bay is not part of the aquarium, patrons are encouraged to visit other marine creatures. Especially that a new mural is underway.

Memphis College of Art students have donated their time to create artwork inside of the aquarium. Once completed, the mural will depict a school of colorful fish surrounding the main tank in the aquarium lobby.

"Visitors will enjoy other refurbishments later this summer. We hope Stingray Bay will generate even more interest in the other marine residents of the Zoo," said director of Marketing and Communications Abbey Dane.

The Stingray Bay exhibit is scheduled to open March 9, 2013 through October 27, 2013, with a member preview beginning March 3.

Admission to Stingray Bay will be $3 for Memphis Zoo members and $4 for nonmembers.

Catch Justin Hanson's full video report on Action News 5 at 5 p.m.