Alligators and Butterflies at Oxbow Meadows ribbon cutting | Environment

COLUMBUS, GA - Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center is having a special ribbon cutting this Thursday. Not only are they offering a preview of the public grand opening on Saturday, but they are also going to add three alligators to their exhibition pond and releasing 220 Painted Lady butterflies.

The Water Works, in conjunction with Columbus State University, created the Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center in 1995. The Water Works has now completed the new 8,000-plus square-foot addition, which includes an 86-seat auditorium and indoor and outdoor reptile and amphibian displays. As in the past CSU will staff and operate the center.

New features include: trails, compost bins and a greenhouse, a bog garden including carnivorous plants and reptile exhibits. The original facility has also been renovated for office space and natural history-related exhibits. 

The alligators and snakes come from Southeastern Reptile Rescue in Griffin, GA . The trio of 2 female and 1 male gator have been living on Water Works property for more than a year getting acclimated to the environment. The 5 to 7 foot reptiles will make their home in a special pond while several foot-long specimens will be kept inside.