Wall-E, a Barn Owl, looks ahead as Master Class Falconer Lorrie Schumacher, left, talks with Melissa DiNino, of Waterbury, and Stephen Wynn, of Cos Cob, during the birds of prey demostration at Western Connecticut State University’s Alumni Hall in Danbury, Conn. Tuesday, April 15, 2014. Phoyo: Tyler Sizemore
DANBURY — Western Connecticut State University’s annual “Animal Week” returns Monday with birds of prey, a wolf, reptiles and other creatures.
The program, sponsored by the university’s Roots & Shoots and the Jane Goodall Center, will take place Monday through Wednesday, April 6 to 8, on the Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury.
Birds of prey will descend upon the campus quadrangle at noon Monday. A Place Called Hope — a rehabilitation and education center for birds of prey — will bring an eagle, hawk and owl, which will fly over the campus as a trainer discusses each bird.
At noon Tuesday, a wolf demonstration will take place in Alumni Hall. Atka, an arctic wolf, will be accompanied by a member of the Wolf Conservation Center (WCC), who will share information about wolf behavior and habitat.
At noon Wednesday, live reptiles from Reptiles on the Move will make an appearance in the Student Center Theater.
The events will be free and open to the public.
“It’s important for the community to attend the events during Animal Week because we can become educated about endangered species, rescued animals and even some reptiles that are a bit too dangerous to keep as house pets,” Roots & Shoots President Lauren Davidoski said.
An additional event with a focus on conservation will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Wildman Steve Brill will offer a free foraging tour at the Westside Nature Preserve on the university’s Westside campus, 43 Lake Avenue Extension in Danbury.
For more information, email weinsteinl@wcsu.edu or call 203- 837-8486.