Antillean manatees
Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) are marine mammals with walrus-like shaped bodies that taper to a wide "paddle" tail. Their closest living relatives are elephants, aardvarks and hyraxes. They can reach lengths of up to 13 feet (4 m) and weigh as much as 3,000 pounds (1,361 kg). Antillean manatees enjoy shallow, warm, coastal water and freshwater tributaries of South Texas, Mexico, Central America and South America.

All manatees are endangered and protected by law. The Antillean manatees currently living at The Dallas World Aquarium ("Ayurami" and "Manati") were accidentally caught in fishing nets in Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. After failed attempts to locate their mothers, they were taken to the nearby Maracaibo Zoo where they lived several months in a shallow watering trough, before being transported to Dallas. When of appropriate size and age, they will be returned to Venezuela. The Dallas World Aquarium will build a rehabilitation center in Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela so that future stranded or injured manatees will be able to receive immediate care.

Arrau side-necked turtle
Arrau turtles (Podocnemis expansa), also known as Giant South American river turtles, are the largest of the side-necked turtles. In side-necked turtles, the head is bent sideways under the front edge of the shell for concealment, instead of being pulled straight back. The Arrau turtle can weigh up to 200 pounds (90 kg), with a shell length sometimes exceeding 3 feet (90 cm). Arrau turtles live in the main rivers of the Orinoco/Amazon river basins during the dry season and move into the flood plains during the rainy season. They feed primarily on vegetation, such as fruits, seeds and flowers of flooded forest trees, roots and aquatic plants, but tend to fast in the dry season. Arrau turtles and their eggs were once one of the most plentiful and valuable food sources in their native habitat. They are now endangered and protected in Venezuela and several other South American countries. The Dallas World Aquarium is involved in a special breeding program for this species.

Arapaima
Arapaimas (Arapaima gigas), also known as Pirarucu, Paiche or Bony tongue, are one of the largest, strictly freshwater fishes in the world. The long, slender, air breathing fish has an unusual, long and tapering snout. Arapaimas often reach lengths of more than 12 feet (3.7 m) and weigh over 400 pounds (181 kg). Although large in size, they are graceful swimmers, often gliding near the surface of the water, breathing air every 10 - 15 minutes. This popular food fish faces overexploitation and habitat destruction.