CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - The newest addition to the Shedd Aquarium's Amazon Rising exhibit has quickly become a star attraction.
The green anaconda is causing quite the stir at the Shedd.
“We hear lots of oohs and ahhs. She will come slithering and swimming through the water,” said the Shedd’s Kayley Ciocci.
Ciocci said the female anaconda is estimated to be 5-years-old.
“She is really an impressive sight to see. She is 10 feet long and 7 inches and she is still growing, so we anticipate her to get up to 14 or 20 feet long.
Ciocci said the Shedd hopes that allowing guests to see one of these magnificent creatures up close will inspire them to help protect habitats and critical ecosystems like the Amazon River Basin.
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“She's an incredible ambassador for her species in the wild,” Ciocci added.
But since she's not in the wild, her handlers are now working hard to get her used to being around people.
“(We’re) gently touching her on her back, making sure that we're kind of feeding her in the same location so she knows that's where to expect food so that when she sees a trainer in another area, that that's not a feeding time," said Cicocci.
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