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Habitat Upgrades Prioritize Long-Term Animal Wellbeing and Meaningful Human-Marine Life Connections
Omaha, Neb. (June 9, 2026) – Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium’s Stingray Beach is once again welcoming guests, fully reimagined to elevate both animal wellbeing and guest experience. Following a year of deliberate enhancements to infrastructure, care protocols, and habitat design, Stingray Beach returns as a strengthened environment built around the long-term health of marine animals in its care.
The renovation process began with a comprehensive evaluation of the systems that support aquatic animal health. Enhancements were made to life support systems, water biofiltration equipment, and water chemistry monitoring protocols to support long-term habitat stability and animal wellbeing. This work was led by the animal care, animal health, and life support teams at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium as part of a broader effort to strengthen habitat operations, animal care practices, and the overall guest experience.
Stingray Beach offers a thoughtfully restructured guest experience, with adjustments to the guest flow prioritizing animal wellbeing and safety. Guests can observe cownose stingrays displaying their natural schooling behaviors and may have opportunities to interact with them when the animals choose to engage. Guests will also encounter brown-banded bamboo sharks, offering a broader glimpse into the shallow coastal marine ecosystems these species inhabit. Trained team members are present throughout the habitat to facilitate interactions and feeding opportunities to support both guest learning and animal wellbeing.
“Connections with animals lead to empathy and a deeper appreciation for wildlife,” said Dr. Luis Padilla, DVM, Dipl. ACZM, president and CEO of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. “Stingrays are incredible ambassadors for our oceans, and meeting them connects us to the complexity of life that we strive to protect and conserve. We are excited to welcome guests back to Stingray Beach, and provide an educational, fun experience around these magnificent animals.”
Stingray Beach offers a unique opportunity to encounter marine life in a meaningful, educational setting that showcases the expertise, care, and commitment required to support aquatic animal wellbeing. The habitat’s return reflects Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium’s mission to bring people closer to animals, nature, and each other so that together we can shape a better future for all life.
About Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
Consistently ranked among the world’s top zoos and named the 2026 Best Zoo in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and operated by the nonprofit Omaha Zoological Society. Located on 160 acres in the heart of Omaha, Nebraska, the Zoo features immersive guest experiences and is nationally recognized for its conservation work, animal care, and habitat design.