The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center has opened a summer exhibit built to be climbed on.
Wildlife Rescue: Second Chance at Survival opened June 13, 2026 and runs through September 13. Created by Little Ray’s Exhibitions, it places twelve life-size animal structures along the aquarium’s Nature Trail in Virginia Beach.
Twelve species that came back
Guests can climb the shell of a leatherback sea turtle, stand alongside a bald eagle and take photographs with a red panda. The structures are scientifically accurate, and each one carries the story of how that species recovered from the edge of extinction through human protection and reintroduction to its native range.
The exhibit also covers the crested gecko, cane toad, snow leopard, burrowing owl and Atlantic sturgeon, with content presented in multiple languages.
Wildlife Rescue is included with aquarium admission and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Climbing on the structures and photographing them is encouraged.
