Animals delight families

An approaching storm didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the 75 people attending the educational “Live Animal Program” Saturday planned by the Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation Department.

It was the first of three programs planned for July, with two more free events scheduled for July 24.

Originally planned for Hendrickson Park, Program Director Kennedy Thayer decided Saturday after looking at the weather forecast to move the program to the safety of the Black River Coliseum. Thayer and her helpers continually added chairs as more and more families arrived.

Director and wildlife biologist at Natural History Education Company of the Midsouth (NHECM), Bob Tarter and his animal kingdom friends arrived after presenting an earlier show at Wappapello Lake.

Tarter explained he and his animals missed traveling during the coronavirus outbreak, but are back on the road.

From the response of Butler County children, such visits have also been missed locally. Eager youngsters’ hands would pop up for an opportunity to answer Tarter’s questions as he produced a variety of creatures.

The crowd included babies in their mothers’ arms, children ranging from toddlers to older siblings, parents and grandparents.

Tarter’s knowledge, enthusiasm, as well as an array of critters, kept the audience entertained. The animals included Picasso the chameleon, a hedgehog, iguana, a bat that eats two to three times its body weight each night or up to 5,000 mosquitoes, a Gila monster, as well as a bird of prey, which primarily hunts and feeds on vertebrates.

Tarter has a degree in natural resources and environmental sciences from the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign and spent time as a biologist for Ducks Unlimited. He also worked with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources as a wildlife researcher and biologist.

“His presentation is a must-see,” Thayer said. “I’d like to thank everyone that came out. It was a fun audience. I have a lot of fun putting on these programs.”

Thayer said to check the Daily American Republic and the park department Facebook page for updates on future programs.

Another program Saturday, July 24, called “Fur, Feather, and Scales!” will be offered at two different parks. The first will be at 10:30 a.m. at Hendrickson Park with a repeat presentation at 1:30 p.m. at Whiteley Park and will be “presented by “our friends from Dickerson Park Zoo,” Thayer said. “Ambassador Animals will be on display and their characteristics, classification and conservation habitats will be discussed along with information to cover other furry, feathered and scaly friends.”

The programs are provided at no cost.