The Potawatomi Zoo recently got a new river otter exhibit and now it is becoming more eco-friendly.

On Saturday, volunteers from the South Bend-Mishawaka Leadership Program’s Green Team, the city of South Bend and the Potawatomi Zoo began assembling a green roof for the exhibit.

It will be the first green roof on a city structure.

The installation began at 9 a.m.

The roof will reduce energy consumption and contribute to the educational mission of the zoo.

Zoo Director Terry Derosa said, “We also have rain barrels that catch the downspouts and can irrigate the garden and the plants with the water we do collect from the downspouts."

You will be able to check out the river otter exhibit, and its new roof, when the zoo opens for the spring season on April 1. You can learn more by clicking here.

On Thursday March 31, NewsCenter 16 will have a live preview of the new exhibit during 16 Morning News.