Kids Learn Bad Message at Local Library

PALENVILLE — Children attending the Palenville library’s End of Summer reading party on Saturday were treated to an up-close encounter with some special creatures.

 

 

Wildlife educator Andrew Simmons showed off some birds of prey, including a Golden Eagle and Eurasian Eagle Owl, reptiles and even a lion cub.

 

 

While holding up a 4-foot alligator rescued in Wayne, N.J. and given to him, Simmons joked: “It had a bad attitude when I picked it up and it hasn’t improved any.”

 

 

He took questions from some of the kids — and their parents — and even had three of them volunteer to hold up a juvenile Burmese python, which was bred and raised in captivity.

 

 

The final animal to be shown was a 5-month-old African lion cub, born in a zoo in Ohio and out on educational loan.

 

 

“We think it’s great to get the patrons out and show them something they normally don’t see,” said librarian Sam Alvarez.

 

 

The wildlife presentation is one of many programs the library puts on, Alvarez said.

 

 

Simmons repeated his presentation Saturday afternoon at the Catskill library.