Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium

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Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium

Main entrance
Date opened	November 1, 2001
Location	Springfield, Missouri, USA
# of Species	225
Accreditations/ Memberships	AZA
Website
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The American National Fish and Wildlife Museum doing business as Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium also known as Wonders of Wildlife Zooquarium or just Wonders of Wildlife in Springfield, Missouri, showcases more than 225 species of live animals, fresh and saltwater aquariums, interactive displays and educational programs. The 92,000 square foot facility, designed by Cambridge Seven Associates, opened on November 2, 2001. ^[1]

1 Inception
2 Features
3 Controversies
4 External links
5 References

[edit] Inception

Wonders of Wildlife is a result of intensive lobbying campaign and financial support of John Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops. He campaigned and lobbied for the ballot initiative that funded the $52,000,000.00 cost of building the museum and the creation of a "museum district" that allows a special sales tax be collected at Bass Pro Shops and a small shoe store across from Bass Pro Shops to fund the project.^{[citations needed]} This project also received $ 1.5 million in federal appropriations. ^[2]

[edit] Features

Missouri wildlife habitat exhibit

The museum replicates the native Ozark habitat and serves as home to many Missouri wildlife species.

[edit] The Community Pond

This area provides visitors with a view of Missouri pond life from underneath. ^[3]

[edit] Meeting facilities

The museum is available for hosting receptions, dances, and parties. It can accommodate 400 people in its upper and lower lobbies. Larger groups can rent the entire facility, and smaller groups can take advantage of the Conservation Library, Out to See Gallery, or Tropical Coast room. ^[4]

[edit] Out to Sea Gallery

"Out to Sea Gallery"

The "Out to See" exhibit features a 21 foot deep, 225,000 gallon aquarium. It houses sharks, rays, and a variety of other tropical fish. ^[5]

[edit] Future development

The museum will also house the "Archery Hall of Fame and Museum" and the "Fred Bear Museum". ^[6]

[edit] Controversies

Wonders of Wildlife had a tough beginning during its first 5 years. Difficulties included three rounds of layoffs within its first two years, four different executive directors, three recreations of its name and logo, and a failed attempt at introducing an IMAX theater on its campus. Several times in the museums first five years John Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops, has had to bail the museum out of financial dire straits using very large donations from Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Marine, and Mercury Marine Outboards.^{[citations needed]}

Wonders of Wildlife continues to experience upper-management staffing changes and few events or changes in exhibits.^{[citations needed]}

In 2004 John Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops, donated the second floor of his Bass Pro Shops Headquarters in Springfield, Missouri and a very large taxidermy collection to the Wonders of Wildlife museum. The taxidermy collection stayed at the Pro Shop and a visitor can tour it for a fee. The donation of the collection and a piece of a "for-profit" business has been said to be blurring the lines between the non-profit Wonders of Wildlife and incorporated Bass Pro Shops causing some to question John Morris' motives and wondering if Wonders of Wildlife is being used for the benefit of the Pro Shop. This fine line is a major rub with some of the citizens of Springfield because tax money went to fund the building of the museum and it is beginning to appear that Mr. Morris is reaping the benefits instead of the taxpayers.^{[citations needed]}