You don't have to travel to exotic locations to meet the creatures that live there. Instead, visit them at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, when Wildlife Encounters puts on a show in the Hardin Hall Auditorium, 33rd and Holdrege streets. The high-energy presentation, sponsored by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's School of Natural Resources, is free and open to the public.
Mammals, birds and reptiles from all over the world will be on display, and participants will learn about how these animals survive, where they live, what they eat and how they can help conserve the animals' habitat. The delegation from the animal kingdom to UNL's East Campus probably will include a bird of prey, a bear or a kangaroo, a big cat and a Fennec fox, among others.
Audience participation, getting to meet and greet some of the half-dozen animal ambassadors, is part of the package, so visitors may want to dress accordingly.
The presentation "brings awareness of animals across the world, and the need to conserve biodiversity," said Dennis Ferraro, an SNR Extension herpetologist who helped arrange the presentation. "Everybody has a voice and something they can do, whether it's by donating, writing letters of support, or finding another opportunity to get involved." Wildlife and habitat conservation are also taught at the school, through several different majors.
Free parking will be available next to Hardin Hall, and refreshments will be offered.