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We have fish and amphibians here at the Water Resources Education
Center.
Fish: 1 250 gallon coldwater aquarium with sturgeon, northern pike
minnow, salmon and other native fish
1 55 gallon aquarium with salmon eggs, alevin and fry at
different times of the year
We also have a large vertical tank with tree frogs (non-native but look
about the same as the Pacific chorus frog) and a western toad in a
separate tank. We have had native thatching ants, newts, a Pacific giant
salamander and non-native millipedes. We released the giant salamander
since it was just too shy and stressed out to be on the exhibit floor.
We use the fish in our school programs. The amphibians and invertebrates
are on display with signs. Most of the tanks are outside one of the
educator's office so she can keep an eye on how people interact with the
tanks. We don't handle the animals for demonstrations.
I have thought to have native snakes here but several are fairly
fossorial (they burrow) and aren't visible much of the time. One of
these days, I will put a garter snake on display.
Visitors haven't expressed negative comments. Our ever-changing interns
who take care of the animals often ask about the size/set-up of the
tanks. For the most part, they ask out of interest. We are trying to
raise awareness about the disappearance of many native amphibians and
about the various parts of the wetland food chain. Since we manage and
interpret 50 acres of wetlands, this fits in with our programs.
Cory Samia
Water Resources Education Center
Vancouver, Washington
360 487 7112
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-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of skoshi wise
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 2:18 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Live animals in your Science Center
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
************************************************************************
*****
Hello,
I am curious about the role of live animals in science centers. If you
are
not an aquarium or zoo, do you still have live animals? If so, what
kind of
animals do you have? What type of programming do you do around them?
Are
they always on display or only on display under direct supervision by a
staff member or volunteer? Does anyone keep reptiles? Do you have
problems with visitors being upset by having animals on display out of
their
natural habitat? Any information would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Skoshi Wise
Director of Education
ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum
541.482.6767 ext. 26
Be Curious!
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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
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