Don't fence us in

Help is on the way for the New England Science Center's snakes, bugs, birds, cats, bears, and otters

by Kristen Lombardi

Back and forth, back and forth. The mountain lion must know every inch of its 350 square-foot, concrete-and-steel cage. "Oh look how beautiful," says a lone, female spectator, who then shakes her head. "You poor, poor thing."

The 200-pound, blond, brawny cat takes no notice of its admirer as she gazes and leans against the fenced-off section, which is one of seven outdoor wildlife exhibits at the New England Science Center in Worcester. Instead, the animal walks past a few logs and a worn ball, plops its body down on the hard floor, and then yawns -- revealing its pointy incisors.

If Webster's Dictionary were to illustrate the word "boredom," it might use a picture of this animal.

But then, the mountain lion may not be alone. A few steps along the wildlife pathway, in a slightly smaller cage, two bobcats -- spotted, with short tails -- lay languidly on a plank, above scattered logs and empty food bowls, oblivious to the whistles of passing kids. The polar bears, mother Ursa Minor and daughter Kenda, lay side-by-side, legs sprawled across cracking concrete and a few patches of dried excrement. And at the path's bottom, two river otters rustle through weeds in a concrete-and-glass exhibit, then dive into an algae-infested pool.

The habitats, undeniably, look empty, even uninspired. Unlike zoos and science museums that mix vegetation with the animals' living conditions, the animals here are confined mostly to concrete. And this has long been the case, thereby fostering a general perception that NESC neglects its wildlife; in recent months, a handful of people publicly criticized the museum for the "sad," "poor," and "pitiful" conditions at the wildlife center in the letters section of the T&G.

It's an image that NESC staff and trustees know well -- one they not only view as unwarranted but even bristle at. Today's wildlife exhibits, while hardly sights to behold, don't violate federal zoological standards, they say; and the staff, who work regularly with specialists from Boston to Providence, would never harm the animals.

"The habitats look shabby, and this sends a bad message to the public," says Laura Myers, NESC executive director. But she adds, "People need to know that the animals aren't being mistreated."

Beginning this fall, in fact, the museum intends to launch its first, major revitalization effort in decades. The earliest visible sign will be an official name-change on September 17 to the Ecotarium. And then renovations, estimated to cost $18 million, will rearrange the NESC facility and grounds in a way that "makes more sense to visitors," Myers says.

More important, though, the museum will address all of the outdoor, animal exhibits, reconstructing them in a manner that more accurately resembles the animals' native habitats -- and, essentially, affording NESC the chance to turn its reputation around. To ensure the campaign's success, NESC isn't simply acknowledging the wildlife center's problems, but is promising new exhibits that'll wow the public.

As Myers says, "It's going to knock people's socks off."

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Even Don Winans, NESC wildlife curator, admits he despises the wildlife center's current conditions. For him, it matters little that the animal exhibits meet US Department of Agriculture's zoological standards. Or that he and his four-person staff work with prestigious Tufts Wildlife Clinic vets to ensure the animals' health. Because what people remember about the wildlife center -- what many then see as a reflection of his abilities -- are the uninspired habitats.

"I don't know what irritates me more," Winans says. "The people who gripe about the animals' care or [those] who think the exhibits are great."

Winans is responsible for close to 100 species, about 500 animals, ranging from polar bears to primates to pythons, housed inside and outside the museum. None of them can survive in the wild -- at least, the exhibited ones can't. They were either born into captivity or the museum got them from Tufts because they were severely injured; the snowy owls, for example, were hit by airplanes at Logan and Roger Williams airports and can no longer fly. The state Department of Fisheries and Wildlife also donates illegal species that it's confiscated, such as pythons and boa constrictors. A handful of animals were unwanted pets, abandoned on the museum's doorstep.

Aside from the animals on display, NESC participates in Tufts rescue and rehabilitation program, which means that it houses injured animals, that can be nursed to health, in a holding pen away from the public. (It's commonly known that animals, overly exposed to people, lose survival instincts.) When ready, these animals are re-released. Just last year, NESC helped to rehabilitate a bobcat, coyote, and a black bear -- all of which suffered broken bones from car crashes.

For Winans, this work "sort of justifies what we do here," he says, adding that, "We have all these animals in captivity; when we release one, it makes us feel like more than caretakers."

In his role as caretaker, though, he appears consummate, and this, perhaps, explains why he speaks so candidly about the wildlife center's present, dumpy state. On a typical Thursday, as he strolls through the area, he wastes no time pointing out shortcomings.

First, the otter exhibit. It matches the animals' native habitat better than the others but needs a new pool, he says. Not only is the 500-gallon tank small for these rambunctious animals, but its water-filtration system is made for domestic pools - and otters defecate every 20 minutes. "The pump isn't strong enough to keep the water clean," he explains. The structure's open top also presents difficulties: raccoons climb inside; birds contaminate the water; and once, an otter -- highly-intelligent creatures -- stacked boxes against the side wall and then escaped.

A few feet away, the bobcats and mountain lion lay listless in their respective cages, all of which were designed to store corn. Winans describes the corncribs as "vintage New England; they're all concrete and steel." That is, of course, what's wrong: there's nothing natural about them. Because of the hard floors, the cats have chronic ingrown-toenails, and the female lion, who died three years ago, had suffered from acute arthritis. "Her ankles fell apart from walking on concrete," he says. The shoebox-sized cage is an issue too, especially for the mountain lion, an animal that claims up to 10 square miles as territory in the wild.

Dried excrement on the polar bears' habitat poses the biggest challenge for staff. Right now, they have no ability to get inside the exhibit to clean, Winans says, so they use a firehose to spray down waste. The method doesn't work well. Once a year, they lock the bears in their den, a tiny, poorly-designed area that the animals dislike, then patch up cracks in the exhibit's floor. "I hate to force them into the den so we do the best we can," he adds. Even though the staff throw large, unbreakable "boomer balls" or blocks of ice and fish in the pool to combat boredom, Winans says, the barren, concrete structure doesn't afford the bears much stimulation either.

The current set-up, basically, grew out of an earlier era, a time when zoos and museums kept animals to satisfy people's fascination rather than to educate, staff say. Because of this, the wildlife center's "underinterpreted," says Dolores Root, director of exhibits and programs; NESC, simply put, doesn't tell enough stories about the animals. Wildlife-exhibit signs now offer basic information, such as the animal's terrain. The signs don't explain why the animals are at NESC, for instance, or how they live in the wild or whether they're endangered. So it's not unusual for visitors to leave the museum without a sense of how the animals connect to the rest of it. And, although NESC is the perfect forum for promoting wildlife appreciation and preservation, particularly since many animals have been harmed by humans, that message is lost on visitors.

Such programmatic weaknesses can best be overcome with live, lecture series and demonstrations, Winans says, but adds, "It's embarrassing to do those programs because of the conditions of the habitats."

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Ever since NESC first recognized its "zoo problem" nearly a decade ago, staff and trustees have worked to rectify it. Yet change, while desirable, has come slowly because of the nature of animal-exhibit reconstruction, they say. Not only does the museum have to raise millions of dollars in funding, it also has to design aesthetically-pleasing, naturally landscaped habitats that satisfy such practical concerns as public safety and staff accessibility.

"The museum knew it had a zoo problem for years, but it takes time to fix it," says Jean McDonough, a board vice-president.

It's taken so long, in fact, because the upcoming wildlife-center renovations have been conceived as part of what Myers calls NESC's "metamorphosis," a major revitalization effort that began in 1989 when board members shifted the museum's focus away from hard sciences like physics and chemistry toward environmental sciences.

By the late '80s, Myers says, NESC had undergone so many incarnations (such as changes in name and location) that its public image was, at best, muddled. "People didn't know if we were a zoo or a traditional science center," she explains. So to better define the museum, board members studied its origins, examined its resources; they considered the broad collections of birds' eggs, butterflies, and minerals that NESC, which opened as Worcester Natural History Society in 1825, has in storage, as well as its wildlife, planetarium, and its 60-acres of woodlands and wetlands.

Staff and trustees saw a connection between all of these resources -- the natural world. By then changing its mission to environmental education, they say, NESC has tried to make that link more obvious and meaningful to visitors.

"In many ways, we're going back to our roots," says Stephen Loring, a board member for 20 years. Today's science museums, in general, center on mechanical and physical principles, but NESC is once again concentrating on "land, animals, air, and water," he adds.

That NESC chose to focus solely on environmental sciences has apparently placed the Worcester institution in its own league. No other American science museum regards its total purpose to be "environmental education and global change," Myers says. So although NESC never set out to make a name for itself, it may, by virtue of its niche, become known as a national leader in showcasing "environmental discovery, study, and conservation."

"Our goal isn't to make us nationally renowned, but we will be defined by our niche," Myers explains. "Our mission, and the way in which we're using our resources, puts us in a unique place."

But staff and trustees needed to alter more than the NESC mission, especially since the building, constructed in the early '70s, has hardly been modernized. "The science center hasn't [been renovated] since we put in an elevator 15 years ago," Loring says. There are the basic, maintenance issues such as sewage and water drainage to tend to in the oldest exhibits -- the wildlife exhibits. And, since the institution's seen an increase in visitors (from 70,000 to 135,000 annually since it moved to Harrington Way), it's grown well beyond the facility's capabilities: NESC cannot offer food service; it must haul in portable toilets to handle large, school groups; it hasn't enough classroom and office space.

Ultimately, the building's become so inefficient that the museum's chances of survival without capital improvements seem slim. "We had to make a commitment to invest and revitalize or plan on closing the museum down," Myers says.

Staff and trustees considered a number of dramatic steps; indeed, in the early '90s, they even thought about entirely phasing out the wildlife center. Myers called zoos and sanctuaries across the globe to try to find new homes for the animals, including NESC's mascots -- the polar bears.

But in the end, Myers says, "We decided that, given our new mission and how we got the animals, we should keep them."

Many visitors, of course, come to NESC to see the exotic animals, and while the museum acknowledges these animals' appeal, it's modified the wildlife center. Instead of boosting its foreign-species collection, NESC's focusing largely on New England animals, using them as a way to teach about the local ecosystem. Non-native species, such as the polar bears, are related to the region somehow; when talking about the museum's pythons, for instance, staff try to discuss the exotic-pet trade here.

Winans explains, "For the longest time, there was no method to our madness but now we're focusing on New England."

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Science centers, unlike other cultural institutions, cannot merely devise strategies for attracting visitors. "We in science museums have a different challenge than, say, art museums," says Dennis Wint, president of Philadelphia's Franklin Institute. Because science centers "interpret issues and principles of science for people," he adds, they must keep abreast of rapid, dramatic advances in the field, then present the phenomena so visitors can understand the significance.

Thus, says Ann Muscat, senior vice-president at California Science Center in Los Angeles, "There's a growing awareness to make presentations more relevant, to bridge science with people's everyday lives."

To do this, science centers across the country are re-energizing their core exhibits through reconstruction. Take the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, which just completed $30 million in renovations that included building a large-scale naval exhibit, assembling a Boeing-727 plane, and redesigning its oldest feature, a walk-in coal mine. Or the California Science Center, which is in the midst of a $130 million capital campaign to add halls on life and earth sciences, as well as an elementary school.

The success of such ventures is difficult to measure, especially since they're so recent, but it's typically beneficial for a science center to review, even revamp its image. As Muscat says, "Some science centers add facilities, some completely rebuild, but what they're addressing is an ongoing [industry] problem: newness."

NESC may not be reinventing itself per se, but it is undergoing substantial change. Its $18 million capital plan, designed to accommodate as many as 180,000 visitors, rearranges the building, then adds 7000 square feet to its 40,000 square-foot building, in offices, classrooms, and amenities like a cafe and orientation center. Not only will the grounds be opened, with nature trails and a longer train track, but the outdoor layout will feature unusual additions such as a tree-canopy walkway -- the first publicly-accessible, leaf-line path. Until now, such walkways have only been open to tree-canopy researchers at universities, primarily.

Yet maybe the most striking improvements relate to wildlife. To give the animals settings that more correctly emulate their natural habitats, NESC's availing its existing trees, rock ledge, and ponds. The new habitats are more spacious and certain to be more pleasant; they're even expected to satisfy stringent criteria for accreditation from the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums, something that Winans says, "We're not even close to complying with now."

The otters -- curious, playful animals -- will get a home in which they can romp; at least, the new exhibit, estimated to cost $460,000, is meant to draw out their whimsy. The habitat's being relocated to the "upper pond," and boasts a 6000-gallon pool (with new filtration system), a flowing stream, mud-bath nook, and hiding spots. Visitors can watch the animals from various vantages: underwater, inside a den, or at pond's edge.

For the bobcats and mountain lion, the most radical change may be the simplest detail: dirt. Because the cats were born in captivity, they've always walked on concrete. Their new habitats feature underbrush, trees, as well as layered rock so the cats can peer down on spectators -- a position that's less threatening for them. Different ground textures like grass, ledge, and logs will allow the animals to work their joints, Winans notes. Just as important, no doubt, is the sizable space increase; all of them will have an additional 1000 square feet or so.

Even though the polar bears will remain in a familiar location, near Sundial Plaza, the animals' new, $1 million exhibit will look noticeably different. The concrete structure will be re-landscaped, with vegetation, a waterfall, and streams, to provide more shady, comfortable spots for the bears. An improved filtration system will be installed in the 22,000-gallon pool. And, since the animals' den will be expanded, staff can properly clean the habitat -- not to mention hide raisins, mackerel, and lettuce under rocks so the bears can "forage and act like natural bears," Winans says.

Not every animal will get a new home immediately or simultaneously, however. The first construction phase, slated to start in October, includes the otter exhibit, as well as wooded habitats for snowy owls and American bald eagles. The next round may begin as early as spring 1999; it'll deal with remaining habitats, surrounding trails, and a free-flight aviary.

For staff and trustees, practical and financial factors must be weighed, they say. Although the museum's raised $10 million so far, it isn't enough to fully implement the plan. And, since NESC intends to remain open during construction, the museum has to work on one entrance at a time. All of the phase-one renovations, both inside and outside, including the eagle, owl, and otter exhibits, are situated near the front door.

Loring explains, "We're building from one entrance to another and including some visitor amenities up front."

Besides, staff say, the timeline allows NESC to care for its animals during construction, rather than ship them to zoos temporarily. Most exhibits -- for the eagles, owls, otters, mountain lion, bobcats, and monkeys -- will be placed in different spots so the animals can stay put until the new ones are ready. Only the polar bears have to move -- to a location 500 feet away. NESC will modify its holding pen, then house the bears there while their exhibit's under construction.

As the renovations get underway, the staff is looking to address programmatic problems at the wildlife center. The building's redesign, for one, aims to "play with the tension of what we do indoors and outdoors," says Root, the director of exhibits and programs. When renovations are finished, visitors will walk from the parking lot, through the woods, then into the museum; upon entering it, they'll spot a glass wall revealing landscape beyond. This wall's meant to bridge the museum's internal and external exhibits, Root adds.

To further link the two, NESC will enhance its signs along the "wildlife walkway," where exhibited animals will be housed and native species encouraged to nest. There'll be information on the habitats: why the animals can't be released, how they live in the wild, how they live in captivity. There'll be information on the environment: the landscape's history, the New England flora and fauna. And, perhaps most important, wildlife curators will do more live presentations.

Considering all this, Root says, "The wildlife walkway won't just be about the animals on exhibit." The large animals are sure to remain big, public draws, but she adds, "We'll provide the interpretations [needed] to give visitors a deeper experience."

It is, finally, the enhanced "interpretations," along with the animal-exhibit renovations, that will distance NESC from the perception that it neglects its wildlife. Because no matter how qualified the staff or how special the animals' circumstances, appearances make a lasting impression; as Winans says, "Here we are promoting ourselves as an environmental-education museum, and we have cats living on concrete: it's hypocritical; it's embarrassing."

Now, he concludes, "We can tell people we're fixing it."

Rundown on the renovations

The New England Science Center intends to launch its first, major revitalization effort in decades, and this includes reconstructing all of the outdoor animal exhibits. The following is a rundown of those exhibits, how they look now and how they'll look in the future.

The polar bears' habitat currently:

is located near Sundial Plaza

is 7500 square feet

is a concrete structure using steep ledge

has a 22,000-gallon pool with an underwater viewing area

has a small den with limited caretaker access

The polar bears' habitat after renovations:

will be placed near Sundial Plaza

will have 7500 square feet

will be made more natural by adding trees and plants

will have a 22,000-gallon pool with new filtration system

will have a cascading waterfall and running streams

will have a new den that's twice the current size

will have greater caretaker access

will have enhanced signage and a space for demonstrations

The river otters' exhibit currently:

is 1000 square feet

is located near the playground

is concrete and glass

has a 500-gallon pool

has a single, small den

has limited vegetation

The river otters' exhibit after renovations:

will be 1500 square feet

will be located on the "upper pond"

will have a 6000-gallon pool with a stream and new filtration system

will have a mud-bath area

will have plants, underbrush, and rocks

will have three dens and multiple hiding spots

will have improved, interpretative signs

The bobcats' habitat currently:

is located near train tracks

is 200 square feet

is concrete-and-steel cage

has elevated, wooden benches for perching

The bobcats' habitat after renovations:

will be located near the tree-canopy walkway

will be 1000 square feet

will have rock ledges, plants, and trees

will give cats a dominant position on the rocks, above the visitors

The mountain lion's habitat currently:

is located near the train tracks

is 350 square feet

is a concrete-and-steel cage

The mountain lion's habitat after renovations:

will be placed near the tree-canopy walkway

will be 1300 square feet

will incorporate rock ledges, plants, and trees

will provide improved caretaker access

The primates' habitat now:

is concrete and glass with outdoor access

has branches for horizontal runs

has poor public viewing

houses two species of endangered primates

The primates' habitat later:

will be concrete and glass with bark mulch, plants, and shrubs

will have skylights

will have improved viewing spots

will be multi-species (with turtles and snakes) where appropriate

The eagle aviary now:

is located next to the playground

has concrete walls, aluminum beams, and vinyl-coated chicken wire

has branch and rope perches

The eagle aviary later:

will be located along the wooded entrance from parking lot

will have a forest floor with mesh enclosure

will incorporate existing trees and foliage for perching

will have a "rustic appearance" with a stone-wall barrier

The snowy owl aviary now:

is located next to the parking lot

is a steel cage with concrete floor

has branch perches

The snowy owl aviary later:

will be located along the wooded entrance from parking lot

will have a forest floor with mesh enclosure

will incorporate existing trees and foliage for perching

will have a stone-wall barrier

Kristen Lombardi can be reached at klombardi[a]phx.com.