The Albuquerque BioPark celebrated the reopening of its Bugarium at the Botanic Garden on Friday, unveiling a $1.45 million renovation that adds larger, more naturalistic habitats for the facility’s smallest residents.

Visitors can now watch leaf‑cutter ants ferry leaf fragments along an overhead route to their fungus gardens, search for camouflaged stick insects, and glimpse the unusual naked mole rat. The upgrade also modernized behind‑the‑scenes animal‑care areas, ensuring the exhibit can continue to serve the community for years to come.

Funding and community support

The project was financed in part by the voter‑approved one‑eighth‑cent gross receipts tax and additional state legislative funding, according to BioPark officials. The Bugarium had served Albuquerque residents for nearly two decades before the recent enhancements.

7‑year‑old mayor for a day

At the ribbon‑cutting ceremony, Mayor Tim Keller read a heartfelt letter from Maude Murray‑Baird, who was six when she wrote to ask if she could serve as mayor for a day. “I would like to make it illegal to squish bugs and spiders,” Maude wrote. Keller honored her request, naming Maude mayor for the day and proclaiming a no‑squishing rule for the event.

Maude was invited to participate in a leaf‑cutting ceremony, a nod to the exhibit’s ant residents, and she proudly waved a miniature mayoral sash while sharing her love of insects with the crowd.

Why bugs matter

Alex Miller, the BioPark’s curator of entomology, explained that arthropods play essential roles in ecosystems, from pollinating plants to controlling pests and building healthy soil. “While you can certainly say that they themselves are small, you would not be able to say the same about their impact,” Miller said.

Miller hopes the renovated Bugarium will inspire visitors of all ages to appreciate and protect these often‑overlooked creatures, reinforcing the BioPark’s mission to connect the community with nature.

Looking ahead

The BioPark plans to use the new exhibit as an educational platform for school groups and families, offering hands‑on programs that highlight the importance of insects in everyday life. With the community’s financial backing and enthusiastic participation, the Bugarium stands as a testament to Albuquerque’s commitment to environmental stewardship and family‑friendly learning.

Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.