Coexisting wild ecosystems, animals, and humankind can have a striking impact on each another. When North American wolves and American peregrine falcons, for example, were on the brink of extinction due to shrinking habitats, degraded environments, and dwindling biological diversity, conservation and reintroduction efforts helped their populations make a comeback. Such success stories are important to share.
Through May 8, The NC Arboretum will outline the return of these animals in its newest traveling exhibit Wild Survival, developed by the University of Minnesota and James Ford Bell Museum of Natural History. The exhibit uses specimens, objects, interactive elements, and video to showcase the biology, behavior, and near demise of these creatures.
“In recent decades, we have faced many issues surrounding our environment and the potential threats that can impact our ecosystems,” says George Briggs, executive director of the Arboretum. “By hosting Wild Survival, we hope to shed light onto these concerns and demonstrate to visitors how animal species can reemerge through conscious planning and efforts from society.”
Wild Survival features an arctic wolf, Mexican wolf, Great Plains wolf, Rocky Mountain wolf, a red wolf, a timber wolf and a coyote. All mounted specimens were retrieved from animals that died of natural causes.
For a “get real” experience, children can crawl in a wolf den to see what it’s like where wolves sleep. In addition to highlighting the wolf and peregrine falcon, this exhibit will also educate visitors about repopulation efforts for American black bears, American elk, and white-tailed deer. These animals suffered due to overhunting in the early 20th century.
Wild Survival is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. inside the Arboretum’s Baker Exhibit Center. Admission is free for Arboretum Society members or with the standard parking fee of $12 per personal vehicle. The NC Arboretum is located at 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way in Asheville. To learn more, visit ncarboretum.org, or call 828.665.2492.
