By Lori McKay - The Weekly News
Some of the world's deadliest creatures have moved into the Museum of Natural History in Halifax.
The museum reopened last week with its latest exhibit, Venom, after being closed for eight months for renovations.
Venom, which includes a tarantula, emperor scorpion and king cobra, was developed by Little Ray's Reptile Zoo. This is the exhibition's national debut and will feature daily live shows that offer an up-close look at these 'often misunderstood' animals until Aug. 8.
"This was about five years in the making of research and discussions and so forth for us to put it together," said Paul "Little Ray" Goulet, who clutched a scorpion in his hand as he addressed the crowd at the museum opening. "And I'm very proud to say the very first place this has been built and exhibited is the Natural Museum in Halifax."
Kids from Lakeside Child Care were among the first visitors to check out the exhibit when the museum opened for a special media opening on June 3.
Museum visitors will also notice improved lighting and a refurbished retail shop and admissions area, with seating and other amenities.
"A lot of the work was done behind the scenes," said museum spokesman Jeff Gray. "The changes allow us to do shows that we wouldn't have been able to do before. For us, it's about setting the stage for the next steps. We're calling this our metamorphosis."
"This building means a lot to so many people. It is great to see it get this attention," said Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage Percy Paris. "The Museum of Natural History is a forever evolving landscape."
He said the museum plays an important role by encouraging lifelong learning for Nova Scotians of all ages, helping government make life better for families in all parts of the province.
A second new exhibit, Riding with Meteorites, features fragments of meteorites that fell in Canada in 1960, 1963 and 1994, as well as an over three-metre reconstruction of the biggest meteorite on Earth known to date - the Hoba meteorite - which still remains in its impact site in Namibia, Africa. The museum reopening marks the beginning of the period of transition and change at the museum over the next two to three years, which will include a complete transformation of public spaces and galleries, and revamping of older exhibits.
Construction will continue behind the scenes. For more information, visit the museum's website at http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mnhnew/.
