Animal Planet

Next to an imposing skeleton of the extinct Dodo bird, midway through the new gallery at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), is a small plaque that reads, “Our planet is undergoing a ‘sixth extinction,’ with species disappearing at an alarming rate, due to human impacts. By 2100, half the world’s species may be lost.”

This message is the reason why the curators at the ROM have spent the past two years collecting the spectacular specimens and making the compelling videos that comprise the new Schad Gallery of Biodiversity, opening to the public on May 16. No longer content just to showcase the wonders of the natural world, the ROM has gone a few steps further, reminding us of the wonders we’ve lost and why—as well as what we’ve got to do to preserve the ones that remain.

A Modern Menagerie

Wandering through the 10,000-square-foot exhibit space, located on Level 2 of the ROM’s Heritage Building, is a little like visiting a Victorian menagerie that’s been transported to a modern multimedia playground: There are more than 2,500 preserved specimens on display from all corners of the Earth, ranging from polar bears to giant anteaters and from Galapagos tortoises to tree-kangaroos; alongside this inanimate zoo are interactive digital displays, live performances and even “animal cams”—short videos filmed from a wild animal’s point of view using a portable camera. (Click over to the ROM’s YouTube page to view some of the films, including a day in the life of an armadillo.)

The Earth Rangers Connection

The Schad Gallery of Biodiversity is named for donors Robert and Elizabeth Schad and their family. Robert Schad is a Canadian industrialist and the founder and chairman of Earth Rangers, a non-profit organization that empowers kids to help improve the health of the planet.

One of the most engaging exhibits in the new gallery is the 15-minute multimedia show, Power Of One, presented by the Earth Rangers. The show gives audiences first-hand experience with live animals, such as Madagascan lemurs, snowy owls and African cervil cats, tells them about the challenges facing these animals and helps make a connection between the negative impact people have on the environment and the importance of making responsible choices to conserve nature. The Earth Rangers emphasize that our problems are big, but our solutions may be small.

“When people see our animal ambassadors in person and learn how their habitats are under threat, they will be compelled to take the simple conservation actions we recommend during the show and on our Web sites that can make a world of difference for animals and people too,” says Peter Kendall, executive director at Earth Rangers.

An accompanying video clip for kids suggests some ways that they can cut down their energy use on a daily basis, including tips such as:

•    Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth

•    Take short showers instead of a bath

•    Lower the heat when nobody is home

•    Turn off the lights in a room when you are not in it

“The kids in the video clearly demonstrate how simple conservation efforts can lead to massive change if everyone does their part,” added Kendall.

Explore the Web of  Life

The Schad Gallery of Biodiversity is centred around three core themes. The first one, Life is Diverse, showcases the millions of different species on Earth—about 1.8 million identified of an estimated 30 to 50 million believed to be in existence. The second, Life is Interconnected, demonstrates how species and their habitats are so tightly interwoven that any impact on one of them necessarily affects the whole ecosystem. The third, Life is at Risk, highlights that the “web of life” is threatening to unravel due to human activities. This theme identifies humans as both central to the problem and to the solution.

The opening of the Schad Gallery kicks off Nature Week (May 16-24) at the ROM. For the schedule of events, visit rom.on.ca/schad.