By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

EDGARD – In a place usually reserved for quiet study, wild animals might seem a bit out of place. But when those critters are in the care of representatives from the Audubon Zoo and presented as part of a show revolving around animals in Louisiana’s own wetlands, the purpose behind the unusual situation becomes clear.

The zoo’s Wetland Express began a series of visits to public libraries in St. John the Baptist Parish this week with a trip to the Edgard branch. The two animal handlers, Erica Olson and her young assistant Christopher Freeland, incorporated magic tricks into an afternoon of learning about Louisiana wildlife.

Centering on snakes, alligators, opossums and owls, each animal was introduced through a magic trick before the real thing was brought out.

At the end of the presentation, the children in attendance were invited to touch the baby alligator and the opossum as well as a display filled with assorted pelts, skulls and teeth.

The Wetland Express, which Olson said also will be visiting libraries in Orleans, Jefferson and St. Charles parishes as well as in Bay St. Louis, Miss., will be making two more stops in St. John. On Tuesday, the show will come to the LaPlace branch at 10 a.m. and the Garyville branch at 2:30 p.m.

Olson said the show will change its theme when the school year begins, and visits are more often to classrooms instead of libraries. In August, to reflect the current state of the wetlands, the traveling show will incorporate elements of the oil spill including its effects and cleanup methods.

“We’re trying to do a lot of hand-on activities,” said Olson.

For now, though, fun, magic and a little bit of learning along the way provided an entertaining show for young and old alike.