The mountain lion's scream came out of nowhere.
Hearing and seeing the mountain lion – even if it is just a large stuffed one – is one of the many new experiences among the expanded exhibits in the live animal gallery in the Rocky Mount Children's Museum and Science Center at the Imperial Centre, said Candy Madrid, the center's director. The gallery opened April 22, which was Earth Day.
Telegram photo / Alan Campbell |
Bonnie Richardson, right, an assistant at the Rocky Mount Children's Museum and Science Center, shows Tusca, an American alligator, to a tour group in February.
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The changes to the gallery, which originally opened with several live animals in January 2006, were part of the final phase of its development, Madrid said.
"What is new is basically helping people understand why we are indeed a unique place in space and the unique elements that support the life on this planet," Madrid said. "Once you come in and you encounter all of those elements ... you will begin to see some of the other inhabitants that share this unique place in space with us."
The gallery's new exhibits are divided into three areas: an introduction to the planet and the elements of life; a look at the plants and animals native to the different regions of North Carolina; and information on conservation efforts needed to keep their habitats healthy, said Lee White, curator of education.
The indigenous wildlife exhibits includes large mounted black bears and the mountain lion, walls of pictures and information on the animals and interactive displays appealing to both children and adults. Some of the animals featured in displays include the bog turtle, copperhead snake, red wolf, saw-whet owl and Carolina Gopher frog.
"I think folks are usually somewhat familiar with some of the wildlife in their area, but they may not be as familiar with the mountain or the Piedmont regions as they are with the coast," White said.
Focusing on native wildlife in the exhibit was always the plan for the gallery, but animals rescued from the museum's flood-ravaged former site on Sunset Avenue needed a home, too, Madrid said.
So the museum built habitats for two Burmese pythons named Lizzie and Buttercup and two American alligators named Tusca and Mae, Madrid said. It also constructed a 2,800-gallon touch pool filled with vertebrates, invertebrates, crustaceans and fish that people can interact with to learn about the creatures.
"People need to be aware of what we share this planet with. That awareness will spur respect, and that is what we are out to do is to help everyone learn more about the way the world works and ultimately live better as a result of that knowledge," Madrid said.
Part of living better involves taking care of the planet, which the museum exhibits explore through dioramas, videos and other displays, said Steve Armstrong, curator of exhibits.
"We want to emphasize the importance that not only does a clean environment impact us visually but also the impact it can have on animal life and on the quality of the earth in general. If we don't maintain a clean environment and take care of it, it is not going to be there to take care of us," Armstrong said.
One of the most startling displays involves side-by-side dioramas of a healthy habitat and one that has been destroyed by pollution, Armstrong said. One is green and full of life, while the other features a gruesome scene of trash and a duck, frog and turtle that have been killed by pollution.
"I think sometimes you have to shock people to get them to get your message across. Subtly works in certain instances, but sometimes you have to be a little firmer with it," Armstrong said.
Most people in their day-to-day lives are not setting out to hurt the environment, Madrid said, but they often do because they are not really aware of the consequences of their choices.
"Once people start to understand why, then people change their behaviors, because they understand that, 'My actions not only impact me but they are impacting others and other animals.' ... Knowledge is power, and I believe that with every fiber of my being," Madrid said.
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission to the animal gallery is included in the entrance fee, which is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and children and free for 2-years-old and younger. Admission is free from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays.
For information, call 972-1167.
