North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is getting ready for a big splash

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY)– Fish, Turtles, and Frogs are ready for a splashing move, as the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is in its final days until closing, as it gets ready for renovations.

“That is going to be very exciting for the team and the community,” said Joanna Zazzali, the director at the aquarium. Zazzali says the aquarium is getting some new upgrades, like a new hand-on experience with creatures, learning centers, and one massive tank.

“We are also going to be building the largest aquarium in the state of North Carolina, it will be a 400 hundred-thousand-gallon Sand Tiger Shark Habitat,” said Zazzali.

As the sea’s most feared predator gets a new home, Zazzali says a popup aquarium will take its place at the mall.

“We are going to be in Independence Mall, it’s going to be on a smaller scale, but we will be bringing a few exhibits. We are going to be continuing our program, habitat chats, career corners, and little discovery zones,” said Zazzali.

Zazzali says around 80 percent of the animals at the aquarium will remain on site during renovations, but certain creatures like poison dart frogs and turtles, will temporarily relocate to the mall.

“We will have aquariums at the mall. We will also have our animal ambassadors. They are the animals that travel on our outreaches that go to schools, senior centers, festivities, and libraries. Those animals will also be coming to the mall,” said Zazzali.

The aquarium still does not have a firm date when it will officially close for renovations. The mall will open sometime early this year and will be free for visitors.