Newsroom
Wonders of Wildlife Press
Our latest updates of what's happening at Wonders of Wildlife and recent features in the press are shared here.
Download press releases or contact our media team for any additional information.
Press & Media
For media inquiries or press materials, please contact us at wow.press@wondersofwildlife.org
Press Releases & Media Features
MEDIA ALERT - WONDERS OF WILDLIFE NAMED 2024 SEATREK OPERATOR OF THE YEAR
February 14, 2025
Wonders of Wildlife has been awarded Operator of the Year for 2024 by SeaTrek! Click below to see the full alert.
MEDIA FEATURE - WONDERS OF WILDLIFE WELCOMES 20 MORE CRITICALLY ILL SEA TURTLES FOR LIFE-SAVING CARE
January 2, 2025
Wonders of Wildlife was recently featured in an article from Fox 2 News
Click below to read to this article.
PRESS RELEASE -Johnny Morris’ Sea Turtle Center at Wonders of Wildlife Welcomes Fifth Group of Critically Ill Sea Turtles for Rehabilitation
January 1, 2025
Drastic Spike in Sea Turtle Strandings Along the U.S. Northeast Coast Highlights Urgent Need for Marine Conservation. Click below to read the full press release.
MEDIA FEATURE - JOHNNY MORRIS' INCREDIBLE JOURNEY – FROM BAIT & TACKLE STAND TO BASS PRO EMPIRE
December 11, 2024
Wonders of Wildlife was recently featured in an article from Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer.
Click below to read or listen to this article.
MEDIA FEATURE - 9 LAST-MINUTE CHRISTMAS VACATIONS IN THE U.S.
December 11, 2024
Wonders of Wildlife was recently featured in an article from NerdWallet.
Click below to read this article.
MEDIA FEATURE - 417 MAGAZINE: ALL ABOUT WONDERS OF WILDLIFE'S OCTAVIA THE OCTOPUS AND KEEPER JARED BELT
November 4, 2024
Wonders of Wildlife was recently featured in an article from the 417 Magazine.
Click below to read this article.
MEDIA FEATURE - MATADOR NETWORK: PENGUIN ENCOUNTERS AND SHARK DIVES: What's Inside 'America's Best Aquarium' and Wildlife Museum
November 4, 2024
Wonders of Wildlife was recently featured in an article from the Matador Network.
Click below to read this article.
TRIPADVISOR RECOGNIZES JOHNNY MORRIS PROPERTIES FOR THE TRAVELERS' CHOICE AWARDS
July 12, 2024
We are thrilled to share that Wonders of Wildlife and Dogwood Canyon Nature Park have been
recognized for Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awards!
JOHNNY MORRIS’ WONDERS OF WILDLIFE VOTED “AMERICA’S BEST AQUARIUM" FOR AN UNPRECEDENTED SIXTH TIME
May 23, 2024
It’s official! Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium (WOW) in Springfield, Missouri, has once again been voted “America’s Best Aquarium” by USA Today readers....
WONDERS OF WILDLIFE SPOTLIGHTS CONSERVATION 6th NOMINATION FOR AMERICA’S BEST AQUARIUM!
May 6, 2024
For the sixth year Wonders of Wildlife has been nominated, having won the prestigious Readers’ Choice Award five times previously. In addition, Wonders of Wildlife was named “America’s Best New Attraction” in its grand opening year...
Wonders of Wildlife partners with fellow AZA-accredited facilities in nationwide sea turtle rehabilitation effort
March 17, 2023
As part of a nationwide commitment to conservation, 12 Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) facilities have teamed up this year to rescue and rehabilitate 518 cold-stunned sea turtles off the coast of New England. Participating...
National Hunting and Fishing Day marks 50th anniversary with family friendly photo contest and Honorary Chairman Luke Combs
September 21, 2022
Johnny Morris' Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium is putting on a celebration to remember, with the 50th anniversary of National Hunting and Fishing Day on Sept. 24...
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife VOTED “AMERICA’S BEST AQUARIUM” FOR A RECORD-BREAKING FOURTH TIME
June 3, 2022
For the fourth time since opening in 2017, Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium has been voted “America’s Best Aquarium” through a national public poll conducted by...
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium nominated again for“America’s Best Aquarium” honor by USA TODAY
April 29, 2022
For the fourth year, Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri, has been nominated for the honor of “America’s Best Aquarium” as part of a...
Seven reasons we hope you’ll vote for Wonders of Wildlife as “America’s Best Aquarium”
May 6, 2021
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri, has been nominated once again for the title of “America’s Best Aquarium” as part of a national poll conducted...
No Room at the Inn: Rrescued sea turtles flown to land-locked Missouri for Chirstmas miracle
December 23, 2020
12 endangered loggerhead sea turtles who stranded on the beaches of Cape Cod were in desperate need of a Christmas miracle when they found an unlikely refuge more than 1,200 miles from the...
It's Official: Johnny Morris' Wonders of Wildlife Once Again Named #1 Aquarium in North America
July 17, 2020
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium has been voted America’s Best Aquarium through a national public poll conducted by USA TODAY ranking the top...
Fans invited to vote for Wonders of Wildlife as "America's Best Aquarium"
June 22, 2020
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri is in the running for the title of “America’s Best Aquarium” as part of a national poll conducted by...
Wonders of Wildlife, “America’s Best Aquarium,” to Reopen May 23 with modifications to protect everyone’s health and safety
May 20, 2020
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium today announced plans to reopen tothe public beginning Saturday, May 23 after being closed over two months. The world-class...
Wonders of Wildlife invites area kids to color pictures of encouragement for those keeping our community safe
April 15, 2020
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium is inviting kids across the Ozarks to color a picture of encouragement for the everyday heroes working on the frontlines of the...
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park Welcomes Rare White Bison
February 4, 2020
Visitors to Dogwood Canyon Nature Park in Missouri’s Ozark Mountains now have a chance to spot a rare white American bison. The new addition joined the park’s herd of 25 earlier this year and was named Takoda, a Sioux word meaning...
YouTube Superstars Dude Perfect named Honorary Chairs for National Hunting and Fishing Day
February 3, 2020
Social media superstars “Dude Perfect” known for their viral videos that have garneredmore than nine billion views, have been named the honorary chairs for National Hunting...
Meet Missouri's Newest Monkey at Wonders of Wildlife
December 19, 2019
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium today announced the debut of a baby marmoset monkey that was born at the Aquarium earlier this year. The baby monkey is now out in her habitat inside the Amazon Rainforest gallery ...
American Museum of Fly Fishing to Join Johnny Morris' Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium
March 25, 2019
50 years after its founding, American Museum of Fly Fishing to join Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri. Longtime steward of fly-fishing history...
Wonders of WIldlife Celebrates the Ozarks with "Just for Neighbors" Discounted Tickets
February 25, 2019
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium is inviting Ozarks area residents to escape the winter blues with half-off admission tickets during “Just for Neighbors” Days now through March 31. As a way of saying thanks to the local community...
Wonders of Wildlife Celebrates the Ozarks with specially-discounted “Just for Neighbors” Days Through March 31
February 25, 2019
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium is inviting Ozarks area residents to escape the winter blues with half-off admission tickets during “Just for Neighbors” Days now through March 31. As a way of...
Luke Bryan, Chris Janson Announced as NHF Day 2019 Honorary Co-chairmen
January 24, 2019
Officials announced today that country music superstars Luke Bryan and Chris Janson will serve as honorary co-chairs for the 48th annual celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHF Day)...
Injured Veterans Ease Their Pain Diving at WOW Aquarium
November 9, 2018
When they're underwater, unconstricted by the forces of gravity, both men find relief from their pain. On Thursday, they got their chance, scuba diving among sharks, rays and colorful ocean fish at the...
U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke signs National Hunting and Fishing Month proclamation at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium
October 4, 2018
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke today addressed prominent conservationists gathered at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium and signed a proclamation naming...
“America’s Best Aquarium” Celebrates First Anniversary Confirms an Astonishing 1.6 Million Visitors in First Full Year of Operation
September 20, 2018
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium celebrates first year by announcing attendance milestone, significant expansion plans and new additions
Year of the Bird exhibit opens at Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium
August 21, 2018
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium is excited to partner with the National Audubon Society and Ducks Unlimited in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the...
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium receives significant donation from Bank of America
July 17, 2018
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has awarded Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium a $250,000 grant as part of its broader initiative to aid environmental programs in Missouri.
It’s official, America’s Best Aquarium is in Springfield, Missouri!
May 8, 2018
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium has been voted America’s Best Aquarium through a national public poll conducted by USA TODAY ranking the top 20 prominent...
Flamingoes become newest addition to Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium
March 16, 2018
On the heels of welcoming a colony of gentoo penguins in December, Wonders of Wildlife National Aquarium and Museum today unveiled its newest addition, six lesser flamingoes, located inside the Swamp...
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium voted “America’s Number One Best New Attraction”
January 5, 2018
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, the largest, most immersive fish and wildlife attraction in the world, has been voted as America’s Best New Attraction.
Wonders of Wildlife asking fans to cast their vote for USA Today's “Best New Attraction”
December 8, 2017
Fans of Wonders of Wildlife can vote for the world-class museum and aquarium as USA Today's “Best New Attraction” for 2017. Everyone is invited to cast their vote once per day by visiting...
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium envisioned as world’s grandest tribute to conservation movement
September 19, 2017
Noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris will be joined by former Presidents and hundreds of North America’s conservation leaders to unveil the all-new Wonders of Wildlife...
Memberships, timed entry tickets now on sale for Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium
September 6, 2017
Annual memberships and admission tickets are now on sale for Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium – the largest and most important natural history museum to open in America in more...
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium to Celebrate Grand Opening on September 21, 2017
March 29, 2017
Johnny Morris, founder/CEO of Bass Pro Shops and leading conservationist, in partnership with noted conservation partners from around the world, today announced the all new Wonders of Wildlife...
Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium to be permanent home for Bass Fishing Hall of Fame
July 25, 2017
Relocating from Birmingham, Alabama, the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame joins an unprecedented collection of national conservation partners with a presence inside a remarkable new destination showcasing...