Throughout the year, a great horned owl, a northern pygmy owl, and a common merganser are just a few of the Stanley Park animals that can be viewed in our Nature House at Lost Lagoon. These animals all died of natural causes and now serve the noble purpose of educating and inspiring Park visitors. Children and adults are able to feel the fur of a beaver and learn how they stay warm in the cold water. Or, they can get a close-up view of the serrated edges of a barred owl wing that allow it silently stalk mice and squirrels. Visitors are always captivated by the tiny, but ferocious, pygmy owl, and impressed by the huge great blue heron wing.
During the winter, it can become less than hospitable for these animals as the Nature House faces rain, snow, and freezing temperatures. Over the two-week holiday closure of our Lost Lagoon outpost, any moisture that makes its way inside the Nature House could damage the taxidermy. We transported each delicate animal up to our main offices in the Stanley Park Pavilion in the most eco-friendly way possible—by foot! SPES staff from Conservation, School Programs, and Public Education and Outreach departments all pulled together to keep our furry friends safe and dry this holiday season.
Watch a 19 second video clip of the SPES staff’s “Taxidermy Trot” from the Nature House to our offices in the Stanley Park Dining Pavilion.
Come and get eye to beak or finger to fur with our collection again in January when it will be back in the Nature House, ready to fascinate and educate visitors.
