Just a quick heads up for anyone in the Chicago area. We (The Wildlife Discovery Center) will have our official grand opening this coming Sunday, November 6 from 1-5pm. The Grass Is Rattling may very well be the largest public display of rattlesnakes in the U.S. (not that this was our goal, it is just working out that way). With over 30 species and subspecies on display (and quite a few off display) we will have quite a few rattlers in semi-naturalistic set ups in addition to other "exotic" venomous herps like: jameson's mamba, gaboons, rhino vipers, BUSHMASTER (my favorite), banded egyptian cobra, coral cobras, puff adder, Atheris nitschei, white lipped bamboo viper, Cerastes cerastes, saw scaled viper, eyelash vipers and even a very cute Screech Owl named "Squirt". This exibit was made possible by a grant from TAP Pharmaceutical Products, Inc. and includes the first ever extensive conservation education program about rattlesnakes for middle school students (Over 5000 students have already completed this program)....this is the part I enjoy most; teaching people about the positive aspects of rattlesnakes. If you can't make this coming weekend's event, but, have a chance to come through the Chicago area (we are 40 miles straight north) please drop me a line to set up a visit (and it's FREE to the public).
Our exhibits won't be 100% ready but we'll have enough ready to go that we will have our grand opening. One of the unique things about this exhibit is that I want people to feel "close" to the animals w/out seeing them through 2" glass and 4' railings like larger institutions (that give a sense of disconnectedness). Instead, we have our rattlesnakes in custom made cherry wood exhibits (Crescent Moon Creations) using 1/4" tempered glass in addition to using Vision cages (we were on a TIGHT budget)....people will be able to feel like they are right there with the animals. Heck, they'll be able to actually hear the sound of a "rattle" (unfortunately, only a few rattlers go into full alarm when people come in; the rest are so used to people that they actually slither up to the front of the exhiibits begging for food like a petting farm goat!). Two full time animal keeper staff will always be present during public drop in hours so I am not concerned about safety (okay, I am but we will have quite a bit control on how many people can come in at one time). Since we have been using this exhibit for the past year with our school programs, it has stood the tests of many kids not following the rules so I am feeling good about things. Anyway, if anyone wants any info just let me know. Rob
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
1401 Middlefork Drive
Lake Forest, IL 60045
847.615.4388
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL
