ORLANDO, Fla. – A Central Florida attraction is bringing visitors closer to animals all in the name of science. Life, presented by Dr. Sarah Layton is an attraction millions of dollars and a decade in the making, located inside the Orlando Science Center.
“It’s unreal, I’ve never seen anything like it. The fact that the sloth is reaching out to grab me, I even took a selfie with her, it’s just amazing,” John Gau said.
Gau and his son, Shelby, visited the Orlando Science Center’s newest attraction. The exhibit highlights three separate environments: The Swamp, the Ocean and the Rainforest where animals like the sun conures, tortoises and golden headed lion tamarins roam free.
[ENTER TO WIN FAMILY 4-PACK OF TICKETS TO THE ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER]
“Every exhibit that you will find here is a mixed-species exhibit. You can see Izzy, our hoffmanns two-toed sloth,” Animal Care Manager Jenny Volz said.
The Orlando Science Center wanted the animals to tell the stories and educate visitors.
“There are so many species that have conservation concerns, their numbers are dwindling out in the wild and by having these animals here, we’re allowing them to be ambassadors for their wild counterparts so you can know what their stories are and how you can contribute to make things better for them,” Volz said.
The habitats are created and maintained to feel just like they do in the wild. For example, in the Rainforest habitat, it’s warm and humid inside.
The Swamp features alligators and turtles.
“I love that they get to see the Florida ecosystem and learn about the nature around them,” Jenna Sola said.
Kids and adults can’t help but put their faces against the glass of the 10,000-gallon Ocean tank, with colorful coral, fish and sharks. It’s one of Sarah Layton’s favorite areas.
“I’m a scuba diver and I’m a shark diver. People ask me don’t sharks scare you, and I say no,” Layton said.
Layton is the presenting sponsor for Life, making the highest individual donation to the $13.5 million dollar project about a decade in the making. Finally seeing plans come to – well literally - Life has Layton feeling emotional.
“I’m overwhelmed and emotional... it’s, it really is exciting,” Layton said. “When you look at a child looking into the shark tank it’s so fun because they are so excited and you know they’re going to take that excitement through their life, and hopefully they’ll contribute to our scientific community.”
Even with the new exhibit, parents like Gau are feeling the nostalgia of visiting the Orlando Science Center.
“I started coming here when I was young like my son, so being able to carry on the experience and see all the different paths and stages has been amazing,” Gau said.
Along with the new attraction and hundreds of animals, the Orlando Science Center has hired additional staff including animal specialists and veterinarians.
You can visit Life with a general admission ticket to the Orlando Science Center. Click HERE for pricing information and hours of operation.
You can listen to every episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate in the media player below: