El Paso Jungle Reef aquarium to feature stingrays, sharks, otters - El Paso Times

An Idaho brother partnership is bringing the ocean to the El Paso desert with the Jungle Reef aquarium.

Cy Hepworth, one of the four partners who owns Monkey Rock Entertainment, offered a behind-the-scenes media tour of the aquarium Tuesday at The Shoppes at Solano, formerly Sunland Park Mall. The aquarium is being constructed in the former Old Navy store on the first floor next to Dillard's.

"We really are excited for the change that is coming to El Paso. Behind me is Jungle Reef - it's a 27,000-square-foot project. It's an immersive experience where you can have hands-on interaction with animals, aquatic marine life and all types of birds and reptiles," he said before opening the doors to the new center.

The aquarium is still under construction, but the brothers — Cy, Jon, Taylor and Jordan — hope to have an opening date in February 2024.

Local media was invited to a behind-the-scenes tour of Jungle Reef, El Paso's first interactive aquarium, on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in the Shoppes at Solona in West El Paso.

Hepworth was excited to announce that the aquarium features several firsts for the business partners. It is the biggest aquarium they are building yet, with the largest shark tank.

The shark tank will be 9 feet tall, with roughly 60,000 gallons of saltwater, and house blacktip reef sharks as part of the Cave of Wonders. The cave exhibit will lead to a mermaid-themed exhibit area.

"And it is the first time we are showcasing otters," he said. The otters, which are coming from Idaho, are a set of young siblings: two sisters and one brother.

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"Our goal is that you can interact with the animals and be educated by trained staff," Hepworth said. "A big part of this project is conservation. The ocean is always under attack and this is a way for us to create a safe environment where people of El Paso, Juárez and surrounding areas can come experience animals and learn about them and how we can take better care of them as a society."

On Tuesday, media got a close-up look at some of the exhibits being built, starting with an aquatic exhibit with a waterfall at the front of the business. Employee Joseph Guerrero cut up pieces of swai fish to feed a variety of blue and albino catfish swimming in the waist-high pool.

Cy Hepworth, one of the four partners who also own Monkey Rock Entertainment Local holds a turtle as local media takes a behind-the-scenes tour of Jungle Reef, El Paso's first interactive aquarium, on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in the Shoppes at Solona in West El Paso.

An aviary and snake habitat is currently under construction. Visitors will also be able to walk through the aquarium and encounter a tugboat-shaped exhibit with nibble red garra fish, a turtle touch tank and a stingray tank, among other habitats.

Hepworth hopes the aquarium "will get people off their phones and out of their homes."

More:New Penguin Encounter to open this winter at El Paso Zoo

Those interested in getting advanced season tickets can purchase them at junglereef.us.

Annual season passes range from $29.99 for children ages 3-11, to $39.99 for adults.

María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com, @EPTMaria on Twitter; eptmariacg on TikTok.

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