Polar Bears of the Desert

Aquariums are roaring into the 21st century with a fresh philosophy and vision that make them extra appealing for visiting families. Long gone are the days when animals were displayed in cages like sideshow oddities. At the newest exhibits, creatures are given the royal treatment in elaborately recreated habitats that teach visitors about the world's ecosystems and their species. Now your family can watch turtles swimming in rivers stocked with fish, polar bears playing in pools, and sharks at close range. At the Albuquerque Biological Park in New Mexico, families can see close-ups of sharks, eels, and everyone's favorite, polar bears.

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO

Although sharks and polar bears seem out of place in the Southwestern desert, they're both high-visibility residents at the Albuquerque Biological Park. This triple-pronged park combines the 70-year-old Rio Grande Zoo with the Rio Grande Botanic Garden and the Albuquerque Aquarium. At an exhibit exploring the Rio Grande, which meanders from the Colorado mountains through Albuquerque to the Gulf of Mexico, families can see all kinds of animal and marine life. The stars of the show are 20 toothsome sharks and dozens of moray eels. To celebrate the zoo's 70th birthday in 1997, the resident polar bears got a cool ice cave with an underwater viewing area, plus a big swimming pool. Admission to the bio park's facilities is $7 for visitors ages 16 and up, $3 for children ages three to 12, and free for kids ages two and under. Call 505-764-6200.



Candyce H. Stapen is a frequent contributor to FAMILYFUN.

Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Updated August 2005.