The Blue Zoo Comes to Baton Rouge

To the Blue Zoo We Go

Baton Rouge Welcomes a Host of Aquatic Friends to the Mall of Louisiana

By Kathryn Kearney

Stingrays, sharks, and seahorses, oh my! Baton Rouge’s newest attraction, Blue Zoo Aquarium, invites visitors to get up close and personal with fascinating and sometimes rare aquatic species. Set to open April 1 in the Mall of Louisiana, the 16,000-square-foot space will house everything from snakes to toucans, with hands-on exhibits like an interactive bird room and a stingray pool. Focused on giving guests an immersive, entertaining experience, there’s plenty to pique the interest of the whole family.

“I’m a project guy, so I’ve done projects all over the world,” said Wes Haws, founder and CEO of Blue Zoo. Haws— whose resumé includes everything from constructing an orphanage to building dome houses in Ethiopia—has a life-changing injury to thank for getting him into the aquarium business.

“I was out working one day in Ethiopia, and a villager jumped out from a bush and chopped me in the back of the head with a wood axe,” said Haws. “So, I had two brain surgeries and a long recovery. After probably about four years of not doing a whole lot, I got a fish tank and just fell in love with it. Something about the chemistry of it—watching the fish in the tank, building my own systems.”

Courtesy of the Blue Zoo

Haws’s passion grew into an aquarium maintenance business, soon followed by his first aquarium venture. Then, Blue Zoo was born, with its first location in Spokane, then another in Oklahoma City, and now, Baton Rouge.

But, what makes Blue Zoo different from the other aquariums you’ve visited? Parents, this one’s for you: Blue Zoo goes above its call of duty to provide engaging sources of entertainment with little ones in mind, including a giant pirate ship playset and ample opportunities to feel and feed animals like stingrays and starfish. Plus, features like the glass wall exposing the rather impressive water filtration system give guests a behind-the-scenes experience.

“Everyone’s been to a public aquarium. And they’re a lot of fun,” said Haws. “You get to walk around and see the fun, rare animals, but I wanted something that was geared more toward smaller kids—something a little more interactive, a little more exciting. I wanted them to be able to come see all the things you’d see in a regular aquarium, but then get to wear them out as well. And if you have the opportunity to get all their energy out and learn something along the way, then you’ve really accomplished something.”

Courtesy of the Blue Zoo