Replacing dead animals complicated, says Sudbury's Science North

If you've been to Science North lately you probably noticed the empty animal enclosure on the third floor.

The science centre's animal 'ambassador', Quillan the porcupine, passed away in November.

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The animal has not yet been replaced.

Staff scientist Bruce Doran says replacing an animal at the science centre is a bit more difficult because Science North is designated as a facilitywithCanada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CASA).

"We don't get animals from the wild that are healthy," says Doran. The designation means they must follow certain protocols and procedures and any animals must come from designated organizations orzoos.

Doran says there aremany different factors staff needto look at when they're working through the process to replace ananimal. This is why it hastaken almost three months to replace Quillan.

"Would they be a good ambassador?"

When the science centre requests a new or replacement animal, Doran saysthey must look at the whole picture.

Sometimes an animal looks good on paper, but then the science centre realizes the animaldoesn't deal well with crowds or has some other factor that doesn't make it compatible says Doran.

"Would they be a good ambassador here at Science North?"

"Some of our animals are relatively easier to get. If I have to replace a frog it's not the same timeline and effort compared to, let's say, replacing a porcupine," says Doran.

Science North will beannouncing thearrival of a new animal in the next fewweeks, but Doran would not saywhat type of animal it is or when it will be introduced to visitors.