[4] It aids conservation and education by housing many animals that are threatened or endangered as part of a cooperative breeding program with other zoos around the world.

In 1997, "The Orinoco - Secrets of the River" opened in an adjacent warehouse that had been similarly gutted and transformed, and the alley between the two buildings became the divide between freshwater and saltwater exhibits.

[5] The upper level of the aquarium is an artificial reproduction of a rainforest canopy with several aviaries and primate enclosures called Orinoco.

The aquarium collaborated with SNA Displays to create a LED video screen that can transition from day to night to simulate a real-time rainforest.

This joint venture, as part of a work-study program by the school, emphasizes real-world business techniques and practices to teach the upcoming generation on maintaining and running the day-to-day operations of one of the city's largest and most well-known attractions.