SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- Since the ocean is a long ways away, the Butterfly House and Aquarium's new van will bring the ocean to the people.
And some ocean critters travel well.
"There are animals that live in the tide pools," according Butterfly House and Aquarium CEO Audrey Willard. "They don't mind being sloshed around and having a little bit of an adventure."
KELO-FM 101.9 is one of the sponsors of the special van, along with Sioux Falls Ford and GreatLIFE Golf and Fitness.
The traveling exhibit has a mobile touch pool, which Willard says helps people learn and get a better feel for the ocean. The aquarium site has a coral reef exhibit, which Willard says even some large museums don't have.
Unlike other facilities on the coast, Willard says the aquarium has to make its own salt water. They get 25 60 pound boxes each month that has the right mixture of minerals and nutrients.
The Butterfly House and Aquarium is located at 4320 South Oxbow Avenue near the Game, Fish and Park's outdoor campus. Willard says the exhibit is the only private-non-profit funded family attraction in Sioux Falls.
Click above to see KELO-FM's Andy Harris interview Willard about the new van and the facility.
(Sue Rogers, KELO.com News, contributed to this report.)