Mote announces crocodilian exhibit

Mote Marine Aquarium is about to get a little scalier.

The aquarium’s newest exhibit, “Coastal Crocs,” will feature crocodilians, which are crocodiles, alligators and their relatives.

The Sarasota County Commission approved a $95,436 Tourist Development Cultural Arts Grant June 21.

“Right now, we’re in the most exciting stage of it, which is the planning stage,” said Mote Aquarium Assistant Vice President

Evan Barniskis. “We have the base idea of things, so we have the funding to move forward with it. We’ll dive deep into the nitty gritty of how we will showcase these amazing animals and how we will raise awareness of the environment these animals live in and how it affects our oceans.”

 The exhibit will focus on crocodilian species from Florida watersheds and is expected to open in early 2017. It will aim to enhance environmental literacy and awareness and teach about habitat loss and water pollution.”

“We hope to educate folks on that environment crocodilians live in and how preserving and protecting the watershed can help us preserve and protect the oceans,” Barniskis said. “It’s been an exhibit idea we’ve been pondering for many, many years.”