Wonders of Wildlife museum

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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A new museum in southwest Missouri was recently named the #1 New Attraction in the entire country by USA Today. The man behind Bass Pro Shops is also the mastermind behind Wonders of Wildlife. But this new attraction in Springfield is just a taste of how Johnny Morris is transforming the Ozark Mountains right now.
WoW spokesperson Shelby Stephenson says it’s hard to compare this museum to anything else you’ve ever seen.
“Any other museum or aquarium you’ve been to really doesn’t compare to this,” she said.
Not only is it designed to be totally immersive, but it’s also massive in size, larger than even the Smithsonian in Washington D.C.
“Not only are you taking a journey around the world through some of the planet’s most extreme habitats, but you are also stepping inside those habitats,” Stephenson said.
Wonders of Wildlife had its grand opening in late 2017. This may have been the first indication of the impact this museum when dignitaries like former presidents George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter were in attendance. They were joined by Hollywood stars Kevin Costner and Mark Wahlberg. But when you have a business and environmental track record like Johnny Morris, it’s easy to understand the buzz.
“(Morris) always wanted to create a place where people could come and experience nature and be inspired by nature,” Stephenson said. “…All with the goal that it would inspire them to get involved in conservation.”
The museum has two main galleries with over a mile of immersive trails. One gallery showcases life under the water. The other side are the wildlife galleries where you get a look at nature in a way that most people have never seen before.
“You are going to hear the elephants trumpeting …