$1.75 million renovation brings new habitats to ABQ BioPark BUGarium

The ABQ BioPark BUGarium reopened to the public on Friday following a year of construction.

The facility closed in December to undergo a $1.75 million renovation project. The work focused on updating exhibits and improving animal care spaces. New enclosures were built to house a wider variety of insects.

Leafcutter ants now move through the main area in a series of transparent tubes. Other insects occupy larger, more versatile habitats. Keepers can rotate different species through these spaces to provide variety for visitors. Behind the scenes, staff gained access to improved areas for caring for the facility's arthropods.

New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martínez, D-Albuquerque, helped secure funding for the project. The renovations were paid for using revenue from a 1/8-cent gross receipts tax and legislative capital outlay funds. Martínez said the new critters aim to spark curiosity in children and adults alike.

Alex Miller, the entomology curator, stated that arthropods make up 80% of all known animal species. Miller noted that these animals play a vital role in food chains as both prey and pollinators. He pointed out that global insect biomass has decreased by as much as 76% in some regions over the past four decades. This decline is largely attributed to disease, chemicals, and habitat destruction.

Miller said New Mexico has experienced steep insect declines in recent years. The facility hopes to educate the community about the importance of these small creatures. He described the goal as revealing big stories about tiny animals and inspiring local residents to protect them.

The reopening ceremony included a visit from Mayor Tim Keller. Maude Murray-Baird, age 7, asked the mayor to let her become mayor for the day to make squishing bugs illegal in Albuquerque. Keller agreed to the request and handed Murray-Baird a pin. Several elementary students also participated by cutting up leaves in tribute to the leafcutter ants.