The Carnegie Museum of Natural History recently concluded its Live Animal Ambassador Program after a highly impactful 10-year run. But don’t fret–10 of these furry friends will be headed to the National Aviary for their new home!
Commitment to Conservation Efforts
The National Aviary is a non-profit organization with an aligned educational mission and a commitment to conservation, which makes them a natural fit to care for many of the animal ambassadors!
“We are beyond thrilled for this recent partnership with the Carnegie Museum and are honored to give 10 of their beloved Animal Ambassadors a home with our flock!” says Cathy Schlott, Director of Animal Programs and Experiences. “We are committed to providing them with the utmost care and are excited for the additional educational opportunities they will allow us to offer to guests.”
The National Aviary works to save birds and protect habitats around the world. The Department of Conservation and Field Research studies human impacts on birds and the environment and also develops targeted programs to protect biodiversity.
The organization’s national and international conservation and field research projects span a range of topics and perspectives, from classical ecological research to applied conservation and more traditional zoo-based reintroduction activities. Their projects are founded on the belief that field research, conservation, and education are linked, and are best done in concert.
New Furry Friends
Seven new species are joining the Aviary family, including mammals and reptiles, and they highlight the importance of biodiversity in shared ecosystems. The National Aviary is one such ecosystem, currently home to more than 500 animals (and counting!).
The animals now home at the National Aviary include:
- Striped skunks, “Gouda” and “Pepper Jack”
- Four-toed hedgehogs, “Doris” and “Betty”
- Jackson’s three-horned chameleon, “Waldo”
- New Guinea blue-tongued skink, “Miley”
- Blue-tongued skink, “Bluey”
- Central Asian tortoise, “Natasha”
- African pied crow, “Jon Snow”
- American kestrel, “She-ra”
Learn More and Visit the National Aviary
Stay tuned on the National Aviary’s Facebook and Instagram pages for details on the full roster of these adorable animal ambassadors and when they’ll make their public debut. We can’t wait!
Until then, check out the other programs going on at the National Aviary and get tickets here.
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.
