Attended the media preview for Museum of Nature‘s exhibition called Under the Canopy.
All I have to say was it was so cute seeing the sloth.
About the exhibition:
Under the Canopy: Animals of the Rainforest is produced by Little Ray’s Nature Centres and features live lizards, snakes, a sloth and more.
It opens May 19 and will be on view until January 7, 2024. Visitors will see a two-toed sloth, reticulated python, New Caledonian giant gecko, and eight other intriguing species in this immersive exhibition.
“This exhibition, with its story of the rainforest, is an engaging way to focus attention on the value of biodiversity and conservation. We hope it will provide a memorable and inspiring educational experience for our visitors,” says Dr. Danika Goosney, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Nature.
Under the Canopy emphasizes the importance of the rainforest to the planet, and the need to preserve it. Rainforests represent one of the oldest terrestrial ecosystems. There is even one in Canada—the Great Bear Rainforest along the coast of British Columbia. They are considered the planet’s champions of biodiversity, estimated to be home to half of the world’s plants and animals.
Yet, in less than one human lifetime, more than half of the world’s tropical rainforests have been lost due to human activity, pollution and climate change. Researchers estimate that all of the world’s rainforests will be gone in 40 years or less if the current rate of deforestation continues and remaining forests are not protected.
“I am very excited for Under the Canopy to be opening at the Canadian Museum of Nature.
This is the museum that inspired me repeatedly in my youth, and supported my love of the natural world,” says Paul Goulet, the founder and Executive Director of Little Ray’s Nature Centres.
Prior to its appearance at the museum, the exhibition was on view at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario.
The animals in Under the Canopy are either rescued exotic pets or were born in human care.
An experienced Wildlife Caretaker from Little Ray’s is on site daily to feed the animals, clean their terraria, check on their wellbeing and provide any support needed.
On some occasions, the caretaker may bring out an animal that is cared for behind-the-scenes—a corn snake, gecko, tarantula, or box turtle—to show to the public and to talk about aspects of its natural history. (The sloth will always remain in its habitat.)
Along with live animals, the exhibition includes an interactive game about species at risk. Children will enjoy climbing on top of frog, crocodile and tortoise sculptures.
On weekends until the end of June, and then daily throughout the summer, a museum science interpreter will be in the exhibition to lead “Layers of Life”— a game for visitors to discover the different ecosystems in a rainforest, from the top canopy to the forest floor.
Check out the gallery.
