Stingrays, Fish Likely to Replace Dolphins at Minnesota Zoo

Stingrays and other fish will likely fill the space in the dolphin tank at the when the dolphin exhibit is discontinued, according to a Minnesota Public Radio report.

Minnesota Zoo Director Lee Ehmke told MPR: "No, they're not dolphins, but they're fantastic representatives of the aquatic environment, which is the reason we have Discovery Bay."

Zoo officials announced in May that they would discontinue the zoo's dolphin exhibit; the zoo received $4 million from the Minnesota Legislature to repair its deteriorating dolphin tank, and officials said the zoo couldn't create the proper social environment needed to bring its two dolphins back after repairs are completed, according to a May Pioneer Press report.

After the zoo received "a wide range of reactions and questions" to the news from area residents—including the creation of a Facebook group to save the dolphin exhibit—Director Lee Ehmke .

"While the Zoo’s initial plans were to complete the repairs and bring in a new social group of dolphins, it has become clear that there are no viable options for making this happen, either now or in the foreseeable future," the statement reads.

State legislators also questioned the zoo's decision to announce the elimination of the dolphin exhibit just days after it had been awarded the $4 million to repair the tank, according to a June MPR report.

Read more from MPR about the possible stingray and fish exhibit.