It’s been an intense two weeks– for everyone. I am happy to report that so far, all is mostly okay with the Animal Care Team. Our operations are very different, and it’s quiet not having loads of people around. Some animals seem to prefer having less people on grounds. For instance, the muskrat is more active when it’s quiet. However, our donkey, Lightning, is one that seems to do better when people are here. We’ve set up a table &Read more
Keeping Lemurs Safe
It’s a difficult time– for everyone. Things are new for everyone with the Covid-19 virus. For many weeks we’ve got to change our way of living to help keep ourselves and those most at risk from this virus as safe as possible. At the Museum, a lot has changed. Too much to write about right now. Instead, know that we are here caring for each other and the animals whose wellness we are responsible for. With the above in mind,Read more
Why did our dragon lose so much weight?
I introduced you to our newest bearded dragon last week. When she comes out of quarantine she’ll be used by our staff for education programs and Birthday parties both on and off the Museum campus. Remember, I said she lost 52 grams in just one short week. When we’re talking about a 350 gram animal, that’s a lot (over 15 %). Any idea of what she is looking at on the paper towel in the photo below? It’s the reasonRead more
Closed Monday Work
Lots and lots goes on at the Museum, especially on Mondays when we are closed. Here’s a list of items that occurred the last two weeks: I helped, albeit minimally, our Facilities and Exhibits teams work in Hideaway Woods. A whole team of folks have been working hard on upkeep to the treehouses. Our Animal Care Team dealt with two large deliveries of Farmyard feed and bedding, as well as bedding and materials for other animals, including putting together aRead more
New Bearded Dragon
I’m hoping our newest bearded dragon will be out of quarantine this month. All new animals go through a quarantine period upon arrival. It allows us to do testing and due diligence to assure that impact on our current animals will be negligible. I tend to call all bearded dragons, “Dragon”, but you can call her DD, which is short for Duckiedragon. I am a huge fan of hers because she eats her vegetables!!! Many bearded dragons eat their insectsRead more
Super Mandy
Meet Mandy. She’s responsible for the Museum’s Birthday Party Programs. In this role, she works closely with Educators, guests, our team of education animals, and all of us on the Animal Care Team. Mandy didn’t want to be photographed, but I recently found her updating materials for our Animal Handlers. Our documentation and training for those staff that work with animals for programs is extensive. Mandy stepped into this additional responsibility as our Program Animal Handler Trainer (not the bestRead more