The semester is over, and our two student groups working on automatic skunk feeders have delivered their final work and manuals. (Although they’ll be getting us some updates in January). Both teams scrambled the first half of December to get their projects functional, safe, and mounted. There’s still some tweaking to work through, but we’re really happy with how the semester has gone and the products we have gotten to help us care for Florian (and other animals). Check outRead more
Be on the look-out for Misha the hawk
Our Hawk Handlers have been out and about regularly, which is great for Misha (as well as guests). Actually, the handlers tell me all the time it is one of their most enjoyable things to do at the Museum. It’s a WOW moment for me when I happen upon our staff with Misha talking with guests as they wander through campus. Hope you get one of these moments too! Read more
Diego Follow-Up
Winter Storm Diego hit us hard. The weight of the snow caused numerous trees to snap or bend throughout campus. Fortunately, the animals seem fine; power and fences held; and the Keepers who were able to get to work did so unscathed. We still have a lot more clean up to do, but I for one am very thankful that it wasn’t worse. We had quite a bit of heavy snow — up to 12 inches in some areas. AboutRead more
Virginia and Mimi called out?
I walked in to work the end of the day Saturday to prep for the coming storm and was greeted by this note on the board: Some might be saying what do you mean two of our four bears called out for the day?? No worries, the bears are here, but two of our volunteers were unable to make it in today đRead more
Winter Storm Diego
We’re under a Winter Storm Warning going into the weekend through Monday. Hopefully we’ll skate by without too much impact, but we’ve gotten our severe weather plans, meetings taken care of, supplies on grounds, and staffing coverage planned out. I had to walk around the mobile generator to get to my office and was greeted on the hall with crates of food. Well done to everyone for getting us ready. Hopefully we’ll get a little snow… enough to not cause anyRead more
Florian’s Automatic Feeders almost finished
The students at Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering are putting the final touches on their Skunk Feeder projects. It’s been a great semester working with our two student teams. Each team has had successes and challenges along the way. We’ve got three feeder boxes installed today in Florian’s home.Hopefully their will be food drops at 11 AM, 2 PM, and 4 PM. Both teams (FLORIAN FOUR and FLORIAN + THE MACHINE) are doing their final tweaks in this last weekRead more