Endemic Animal Festival attracts a crowd

FRENCH QUARTER – Dozens of children and adults flocked to the Old House in French Quarter on Sunday morning for the first Endemic Animal Festival at this location. The non-profit organization Les Fruits de Mer has been working hard with the help of countless volunteers to turn the Old House into the new location for Amuseum Naturalis, formerly located in Grand Case. The museum will open later this year, but on Sunday the place was ready to host the Endemic Animal Festival. The open air exhibition offered visitors the opportunity to learn about the animals that live on the island or in the region.

The theme for this year’s festival was Made Here. Activities included the endemic animal discovery Station, birdwatching, wildlife-themed art activities and the launch of Plantilles, the native plant and community garden project on the property of the Old House.

Local experts, like birdwatcher Binkie van Es added to the well-attended event with explanations about their field of expertise.

Volunteers have cleaned up in and around the Old House  Behind the main building a path has been cleared through the bushes to the top from where visitors have a brilliant view of the environment. There are also several places where Les Fruits de Mer has placed benches and even comfortable chairs for visitors to rest and take a breath of fresh air.

Top photo caption: Birdwatcher Binkie van Es enlightened visitors about birds of the Caribbean. Photo Hilbert Haar.

Photos captions:

The festival kept children busy with creative activities. Photo Hilbert Haar.

The welcome committee at the endemic animals festival at the former Old House turned Amuseum Naturalis. Photo Hilbert Haar.

An impressive iguana sits on a branch at the open air exhibition. In the background Mark Yokoyama offers explanations. Photo Hilbert Haar.

This little girl got very close to nature and seemed to enjoy it. Photo Hilbert Haar.