New Animal Ambassadors Coming To Briar Bush Nature Center

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA —The Briar Bush Nature Center will be getting four new animal ambassadors this year.

The center at 1212 Edge Hill Rd. serves as a museum, features live animals, a bird observatory cabin, a natural playscape, a pond, trails, a 12-acre natural area, a summer camp, and educational programs for children and adults.

"There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes to manage an educational animal collection at a nature center like Briar Bush," officials said.

Officials said that animals are chosen for their educational programs based on their temperament, the level of care they require, and how much space there is in the museum.

While the animals we bring to programming may change slightly due to the change in animal ambassadors, there will be no major changes to our educational programming, Karen Foster, development and events coordinator said.

With Briar Bush experiencing more demand for educational programs than in past years, it will be expanding to four animal ambassadors with an announcement in the next month or so offering more details.

Meanwhile, the Briar Bush Nature Center has changed its two animal ambassadors.

The center said that Leo, the crested gecko, has shown he is not comfortable being handled and has been retired from programs, moving to a quiet home life with some of dedicated animal volunteers.

Link, the red-eared slider Creed II movie star, has moved to a reptile rescue and education non-profit in New Jersey.

While the nature center has found new homes for the two animal ambassadors and will be welcoming four new ones, it cares for over 25 animals in its museum, Foster said.