Just thought I would share this exciting new project that is taking place at my wildlife center. If anyone has any questions they can contact me (see below). Also, we are looking for a few "wish list" animals for this display: pricei, willardi and polystictus. If anyone knows where some might be available please let me know (these are all long shots but I know that in time, we will acquire them).

NEWS RELEASE
The Center for North American Herpetology
Lawrence, Kansas
http://www.cnah.org
11 February 2005

New Rattlesnake Exhibit

The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm, located at 1401 Middlefork Drive in
Lake Forest, Illinois, 60045, received a generous grant from TAP
Pharmaceuticals to build a new rattlesnake exhibit and develop a crotaline
conservation education program for middle school students. This new exhibit,
called "The Grass Is Rattling" is set to open in the Spring of 2005 and will feature
over 25 species of rattlesnakes from North, Central and South America making
this one of the country's largest public rattlesnake exhibits. From the
dimunitive Pigmy Rattlesnake to the impressively large Neotropical Rattlesnakes,
there will be something for everyone. The central theme in this exhibit will be
conservation education and the importance of rattlesnakes in the environment.
One of the focus animals in this exhibit will be the endangered Eastern
Massasauga, Sistrurus catenatus, and, the Timber Rattlesnake, Crotalus
horridus, who are both fast disappearing in Illinois. In addition to the live
rattlesnake displays, there will be interactive displays including the "rattle box"
and much more. Additionally, a curriculum is being written that will allow school
groups to come and visit the exhibit to teach them about rattlesnake
conservation. One of the unique aspects of this education program will provide
opportunities for middle school students to apply technology to the learning
experience by using GPS, Radio Telemetry and Pit Tagging devices. They will
learn about the many advances taking place and the
current research that is being done with Crotalines. This facility also has an
extensive collection of non venomous reptiles and birds (raptors).

There will be a nominal fee for entrance into this new exhibit, however, school
programs are free of charge as a result of the generous grant from TAP.

For more information, contact Rob Carmichael at:

The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
City of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation
1401 Middlefork Drive
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
847-615-4388 office
847-283-8563 fax
carmichr@cityoflakeforest.com (work email)
robertcarmichael@comcast.net (home email)
http://cityoflakeforest.com/cs/rec/cs_rec2d2.htm
-----
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

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