[NHCOLL-L:5084] Guidelines for live animals in exhibits

[dinoceras at juno.com]

Hi all,

Do any of your institutions have guidelines established for housing live animals (reptiles and amphibians) in exhibit areas? We have an immersive exhibit in which you wonder along a winding path through various local habitats. These are basically open dioramas (for example - a forest area with full-size "trees" with taxidermy mounts both on the forest floor and in the trees). Barriers between the visitor and the habitats are more visual than physical (a tree snag, a bridge railing, a farm fence, etc.). Recently, there has been some discussion about moving our live animals into this area. Up to this time the live animals have been maintained in a separate classroom setting at some distance from exhibit areas. My greatest concern is that having the live animals in the exhibit area will put the mounted specimens at a greater risk for pest infestations. I'm also worried about the welfare of the animals, themselves, under such conditions (before access to them was limited to when a staff member was present). Are these concerns valid? What sort of precautions do you require to maintain this sort of mix? Any information / insights about this type of arrangement would be appreaciated.

Thanks,

Chris Chandler
Putnam Museum
Davenport, IA

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