It’s going to be a busy year for Nick Jr.’s little animal rescue worker, whose marketability is continuing to rise.

The protagonist of Go, Diego Go! is about to take on a central role in Miami Metrozoo’s newest and largest exhibit, Amazon & Beyond.

The deal between Metrozoo, the Zoological Society of Florida and Nickelodeon will see the 27-acre tropical mega-exhibit branded with the popular Nick Jr. character. Scheduled to open in late 2008, Amazon & Beyond is designed to showcase more than 1,000 live animals, including harpy eagles, giant river otters, anacondas and crocs.

The Diego branding will include a regularly scheduled stage show, stamping stations, educational handbooks and plenty of giftshop merch.

In the meantime, five new eps of the series start airing on March 5, and the Go, Diego, Go Live! The Great Jaguar Rescue show has extended its 50-city run to include Baltimore (February 28 to March 4) and Minneapolis (March 7 to 11).