Aquarium-Reptile Complex

Aquarium-Reptile Complex. . , The Aquarium-Reptile Complex (ARC) at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden opened in November 1989. The award-winning exhibit was the highlight of Riverbanks' first major expansion and attracted more than one million visitors in its first year. Thanks to the incredible support of members, donors, and our community, Riverbanks has made significant strides in science and conservation., 1989 , NBC Today Show personality Willard Scott makes guest appearance at ARC opening, Zoo enters partnership with SC Department of Natural Resources, 1990 , ARC recognized with AZA Significant Achievement Award in Exhibit Design, First hatching of the critically endangered radiated tortoise, 1999 , First successful propagation of corals, 2005 , Riverbanks receives AZA Edward H. Bean Award for the Malagasy Leaf-tailed Gecko Long-term Propagation and Husbandry Program, 2006 , Rare white alligator arrives at Riverbanks, 2007 , First successful hatching of four critically endangered Pan's box turtles, 2011 , First successful hatching of five Galapagos tortoises, Zoo staff travel to Suriname, South America, to conduct research on leatherback and green sea turtles, 2012 , Two juvenile Komodo dragons arrive at Riverbanks, 2017 , First successful hatching of critically endangered Sulawesi forest turtle, Endangered gopher tortoises released at the Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve, Green sea turtle released at Hobcaw Barony in Georgetown, South Carolina