BUFFALO, NY – “Amazoo: The Rainforest Connection,” designed and constructed by Canisius Zoo Biology students, is now open in Room 102 of the college’s Health Science Building, at the corner of Jefferson and Delavan Avenues. Amazoo, which is free and open to the public, runs daily from Monday, November 11 through Thursday, November 21, from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Naturalistic exhibits display 13 species on loan from The Buffalo Zoo and other sources, including the red-legged tarantula, giant Brazilian cockroach, freshwater stingray, red-tailed boa constrictor, green-cheeked conures, green and black poison dart frog, blue poison dart frog, amazon milk frog, red-footed tortoise, South American river turtle, fulvous duck, and the prehensile-tailed porcupine. Canisius Zoo biology students designed the habitatis under the guidance of Susan Margulis, PhD, associate professor of animal behavior, ecology, and conservation and biology; with the assistance and support of The Buffalo Zoo and Pete Paufler, lead mechanic for facilities management.
The mini-zoo group project began in September. Students studied the principles of exhibitry and husbandry in class, at The Buffalo Zoo, and at ten out-of-town zoos, which they traveled to throughout the semester. Based on their studies, students then converted a first-floor storage room and adjoining plant-growth room into a simulated rainforest habitat.
See more photos of Amazoo here.
For more information about “Amazoo: The Rainforest Connection,” call (716) 888-2770.
Canisius is one of 28 Jesuit universities in the nation and the premier private university in Western New York.
