Animals Up Close: The African Serval Cat
Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield
Saturday, July 6, 2013

Meet animals from around the world at Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA during the Animals Up Close: The African Serval Cat program, presented by the Granite State Zoo, formerly known as the W.I.L.D. Center & Zoological Park of New England, on Saturday, July 6, at 1pm.  Learn about different species outside of the Berkshires’ backyard and the efforts taken to protect the habitats of these creatures at this live animal program. ($$)

How often is it that your family gets to meet a wild animal up close and personal?  Of course, there are lots of different easy-to-spot species inhabiting backyards all over western Massachusetts, and even more elusive species in like porcupines, bears, bald eagles and moose – but what about nonnative species from other regions, like an African Serval Cat or Moluccan Cockatoo?!  On Saturday, July 6th at 1pm, the Granite State Zoo in New Hampshire brings these exotic creatures (and more!) to the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA, presenting families with an exciting opportunity to meet unique animals face-to-face… perfect for animal-loving kids of all ages…

In addition to the serval cat (an African wild cat similar to a cheetah) and  cockatoos, the Zoo will also bring along a beautiful red fox (found worldwide) and a tegu, an Argentinian reptile found in a variety of habitats.  Learning about the creatures who are native to other parts of the world can help kids develop their understanding of climate, geographic regions, animal adaptations, and biodiversity – all important topics in elementary school science!  By understanding the differences in animals around the world, kids will begin to understand the differences in environments around the world, too.  After meeting the creatures, compare them to similar animals living nearby.  Could any of them survive in western Massachusetts if they had to?

Tickets to the event (which include museum admission) are $15 for adults and $8 for children and are available in advance.  For more information, contact the museum at 413-443-7171.  The Berkshire Museum is located at 39 South Street in Pittsfield, MA.

[Photo credit: (ccl) Sander van der Wel]