Memphis Zoo broke ground on Stingrays at Mangrove Cove, a permanent aquatic exhibit scheduled to open in spring 2027 and built to bring back an attraction guests have been asking about for five years.
Zoo leadership, staff, community partners and supporters gathered on Friday, May 22, 2026 to start construction. The finished exhibit will hold stingrays, sharks and other aquatic species drawn from waters around the world.
What is being built
The public portion covers 4,461 square feet and contains three habitats holding roughly 23,000 gallons of water in total. Guests will be able to touch stingrays, with optional feeding available for an extra fee on top of general admission.
Behind that sits another 5,039 square feet that visitors will not see: life support systems, mechanical infrastructure, quarantine holding pools and dedicated animal care and staff areas.
Memphis Zoo ran a seasonal stingray experience until it closed in 2021.
“Guests have continued asking about the return of stingrays since the previous experience closed in 2021, so we’re incredibly excited to bring them back in a permanent and even more immersive way,” said Matt Thompson. “Stingrays at Mangrove Cove will create unforgettable up close experiences that connect guests with aquatic wildlife like never before.”
Why mangroves
The design takes its cue from coastal mangrove habitat, and the interpretation follows. Mangroves serve as nurseries for marine life and as natural barriers that slow coastal erosion and blunt severe weather.
Aaron Patrick Architects designed the project with Aquatic Development and Consulting, LLC, which is handling aquatic exhibit design, life support systems, collection planning and curatorial startup. Wagner General Contractors, Inc. is the general contractor.
The zoo says more details will follow as construction advances toward the spring 2027 opening.
