The Natural History Museum of Utah’s latest special exhibit, “Wild World: Stories of Conservation and Hope,” opened this June with a plethora of exhibits that will prove informative and enjoyable to anyone from young children to adults to U students.

Snake in the Museum!

“Our wild spaces and wild places are in trouble,” a sign near the entrance reads. “But the actions of people just like you are making a difference and turning the tide for species that we almost lost.” Museum-goers are welcomed into a sensory-friendly exploration of plants and animals across the world that conservationists have worked to restore. 

The main attraction of “Wild World,” however, are the live animals displayed to entice visitors and demonstrate the importance of conservation. There are poisonous frogs, giant toads, a huge pink-kneed tarantula, chinchillas and an enormous Burmese python that can grow up to 16 feet. Beside each glass exhibit are plaques with interesting facts about the ecological status of the animals inside. For instance, many of the Burmese pythons have become invasive in Florida and escaped zoos during hurricanes. However, the formidable snakes are not nearly as much of an ecological terror as domestic cats that have been let outside. According to one info plaque, cats are responsible for up to 80% of human-related songbird decline.

Become A Conservation Hero

Besides keeping furry friends indoors, “Wild World” works hard to show how everyone can help conservation efforts through small daily actions. Visitors can pledge to buy products with less packaging, plant native trees in their communities or “support international organizations that are helping endangered animals.”

“Wild World” also encourages guests to participate in citizen science projects, or “the practice of public participation and collaboration in scientific research,” such as iNaturalist. Through the app, community members can document the wildlife around them and provide conservationists with important information about what species are inhabiting their backyards.

A Wild Playground

As always, this NHMU special exhibit is filled with interactive displays that allow guests to take on the role of conservationists documenting footage of wild animals or tracking animals through paw prints and feces. You can also imagine yourself as a burrowing animal looking for a home, or turn your hand into an elephant trunk and attempt (and fail, in my case) to pick up blocks.

“Wild World’s” interactive aspects, which include a mini playground kids can climb through, are particularly aimed towards younger children. But walking through the small zoo, admiring the animals and learning about their history is something anyone can appreciate.

“Wild World,” along with all of NHMU’s permanent exhibits, is free for U students with their UCard and will be on display until Nov 5. I highly recommend checking it out, even if you do have to make the steep hike up to north campus. At a time when environmental disaster feels ever-impending, it’s wonderful to learn about the work being done to keep our planet beautiful. It’s even more inspiring to learn how we can each make an impact.

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