-Dr. Jane Goodall

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Click on the photo for a closeup.

Maxwell “Max” – Canada Lynx

Canada or Canadian Lynx are a threatened species in the lower 48 states. Max was zoo born and acquired to be an animal ambassador. They are remarkable creatures able to run across the snow after their favorite prey, the Snowshoe Hare.

Learn about some other interesting traits.

Please note: Max arrives onsite in a locked viewing kennel. During presentation, I will open the door & attach his lead. He has been in the public since eight weeks old but is shy by nature. At times, he has come out and stretched and laid down outside the door with me by his side. Other times he has been spooked by loud children or sudden movement and preferred to lay inside his kennel watching the crowd. Sometimes for photos, I will keep his door open and photos can be taken without the bars showing. Additionally, New York state law prohibits public contact which is why I present a pelt for touching. At exhibitions, he is contained within his cage at all times.

Barnyard – Yellow-naped Amazon Parrot

I acquired Barnyard on May 12, 2011. He’s a mid-late 20’s talking parrot whose name I’m not fond of, so I call him Burt. And he calls himself Bird which is close! He’s a talker when there’s plenty of people to give him the necessary incentive. Isn’t that just like animals…will only do what they want when they want and only if there’s something in it for them?

He even does the chicken dance! Learn about the Amazon parrot.

They are truly amazing creatures.

Update: As of November 29, 2013…. Burt is a girl! She has laid eggs to let it be known that her name should be changed. However, we know her as Burt and it’s been difficult to call her Burta or Burtha. Besides, she still calls herself Barnyard or Bird!

Update: August 2019….we have found Burt’s original owner who was heartbroken to give her up in the mid-90’s. Burt came from her species’ homeland of Central/South America at a young age. It is estimated that she was born in 1982 or 1983 which today, August 15, 2019 makes her age 36 or 37!

Frankie & Frannie – European Polecat

Sadly, Frankie crossed the rainbow bridge on November 29, 2024. He was 8 years old. He was a blonde cinnamon color while Frannie was a sable. Frannie had a tumor removed in early December and began losing her fur due to adrenal gland disease which is common in ferrets. She was the sweetest as was Frankie and both loved being held but were really more interested in wandering around getting into mischief! Frannie went downhill fast, like within 2 days. She passed on September 15, 2025.

I will probably not be getting any more ferret ambassadors but you never know.

Ruby & Pearl – South American Chinchilla

Ruby & Pearl were acquired in early July 2022. They are both standard grey coloring. They are not much for being touched or held which is something I work on twice daily. Ruby is under a year old and Pearl is about a year and a half from what their previous owner told me. Find out why they are popular in the fur trade. Touch her very soft and thick fur. Hear her bark. Did you know their teeth never stop growing? I nicknamed her “chewy” because she is destructive with her constant chewing all night long!

Porkchop – African Pygmy Hedgehog

Porkchop? Oh my, how do you think she got her name? How many spiny hairs (quills) does an adult hedgehog have? Are the hairs hollow like porcupines? Watch & listen to the hissing, popping and rolling into a defensive spiny ball. Do you dare to touch?

Lil Bun – Holland Lop

Lil Bun was born February 14, 2022 and yes, a domestic bunny but who doesn’t love to hold and snuggle a soft animal? Did you know that rabbits are lagomorphs and not rodents? Do you know the difference between the two? Do you know the difference between a rabbit and a hare? Let’s talk about the Lop and it’s wild cousins.

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I use to have a baby bear available for lectures but I no longer take on this task.

Wilderness without wildlife is mere scenery – Lois Crisler