Press Release
Endangered Mermaids
At The Wildlife Experience
DENVER - May 11, 2003 - A source of the legendary mermaid will be featured in a natural history exhibit at The Wildlife Experience this summer. Manatees: The Edge of Extinction focuses on a now-endangered sirenian that sailors of yore often mistook for a beguiling temptress of the sea.
The show uses a variety of materials and formats to explore the history of these remarkable animals. Dioramas, photo panels, art prints, video and interactive displays tell the manatees' long story, from their rise in the early Cenozoic era to their precarious existence today.
Exhibit guests will learn about the biology and behavior of the creatures through touch-and-feel specimens of mounted skeletons and model reconstructions. Visitors can examine manatee skin, hair and teeth, and will even be able to hear the sound of the animal's breathing.
Appealing to all ages, Manatees: The Edge of Extinction promotes awareness and conservation of these gentle, endearing creatures. The Wildlife Experience will also offer several educational programs in conjunction with the exhibition.
The traveling exhibit, organized by the Potomac Museum Group, opens June 21 and runs through October 26.
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