Kids get up close with wildlife

More than 60 children and adults gathered at the Tackapausha Museum and Preserve in Seaford last Saturday to take part in a live animal show. The creatures were taken out one by one by director and animal handler of 15 years, Dennis Fleury, to help flaunt their fur and feathers.

“We have a lot of children growing up here in suburbia and we want them to know that there is some really beautiful, important wildlife around and that they should respect it,” said Fleury, 39. “We want them to be empathetic stewards of the planet instead of consumers who don’t understand the balance of what’s going on around us.”

The children became more and more excited as Fleury brought out more than 10 different types of wildlife including a 20-year-old Columbian Boa Constrictor, a Harris’s Hawk and a Saw-Whet Owl. Along with the demonstration, Fleury shared some facts about each animal and how to protect some of the rare-types of species. Some of the birds, such as the Eastern screech Owl, are even native to Long Island and can be found in any backyard.

“Seaford is a really great place for wildlife,” Fleury added. “It’s an important place environmentally on Long Island and the people from here need to know how valuable the land is and how to preserve it.”

The holiday party for wildlife and live animal show was sponsored by the South Shore Audubon Society at the Nassau County park on Washington Avenue and provided crafts, games and light refreshments for all who stopped in.

“We always have bird walks here in the preserve and we’ve always had a close relationship with the museum,” said Betty Borowsky, the president of the local Audubon Society chapter. “It was roughly about 15 years ago when the county had a program called “Adopt a Park,” and it was, of course, a natural fit. The children love it and they come back year after year. I bring my classes and my grandchildren here all the time.”

The holiday party for wildlife event has been taking place for more than 20 years and many parents bring their children for a day filled of educational fun.