A new interactive exhibit is opening today at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha. Kay Klatt, director of the Butterfly and Insect Pavilion, says the winged creatures are flying free in the huge facility and that means there are some extra rules in place for visitors.
Klatt says, "All the butterflies, plants that are in this building, nothing can leave this building so the public can’t take a flower with them, a dead butterfly or anything, everything has to stay here." It isn’t quite as secure as entering Fort Knox but she says they are taking extra precautions so people don’t accidentally have a hitchhiker.
She says, "We have double doors before you enter here. We fans that are blowing down on people. We have lights so that nothing leaves and no butterflies escape either." The 14,000 square foot "total immersion" exhibit is located between the Scott Aquarium and the Giraffe Complex. It features a Butterfly Conservatory, Conservation Promenade, Chrysalis Hatching Room, Insect Zoo, Giraffe Observation Walk and Lower Level Amphibian Conservation area.
Klatt says no strollers will be allowed and parents are asked to keep an extra eye on their kids. Klatt says, "We have to be careful, no running or anything because they do like to go out on the path and drink the water on there but they love to land on people, on kids, on legs, arms, hair, they don’t care." Viewed from above, the new exhibit resembles a winged insect. For more information, visit the zoo’s website .