Boulder Hill Kids Get to Meet Exotic Animals Up Close

As Mike Kohlrieser moved toward the edge of the stage, a huge blue and green parrot on his arm, the roar of the crowd grew louder. And when he let the bird go, and it flew in a wide circle around the gymnasium, the kids simply went nuts, screaming with joy.

And when the bird, named Kelly, returned to Kohlrieser’s outstretched arm, they all gasped. Students from all six grades at Boulder Hill crammed into the gym on Monday morning to see Kohlrieser, founder of not-for-profit organization Understanding Wildlife, and hear him talk about the rainforests.

But really, they were there to see the animals Kohlrieser brought with him. And they weren’t disappointed.

From a talking bird named Charlie to a monkey named Rascal, to a pair of snakes named Slink and Ralph, the animals charmed students and brought smiles to their faces. Kohlrieser produced a toucan named Loco, and tossed him a grape, which the bird deftly caught in his beak. And the snakes made friends with a pair of teachers, Connie Dennis and Anne Tebbetts, much to their students’ delight.

But it was the monkey, Rascal, who got the most applause and the loudest cheers. Rascal led his owner on a merry chase around the stage, held by a leash, before climbing up on his shoulders and giving him a hug.

It wasn’t all fun and games, though—Understanding Wildlife has a serious mission, and that is to get kids interested in the rainforest, and involved in protecting it. For that reason, Kohlrieser has performed his animal show all across the country, from California to Maine, according to his website.

“We’re losing our tropical rainforest at an alarming rate,” Kohlrieser said, adding that some scientists believe it may be gone entirely in 40 years.

He told the students they could help by recycling, conserving energy, reading and learning more about deforestation. Kohlrieser’s demonstration at Boulder Hill Elementary was a prelude to a larger show Monday night at Old Post Elementary School in Oswego, with even more animals, and more facts about the rainforest.

After the show, Boulder Hill staff brought three vision-impaired students—kindergartner Julian Ellis, 1st grader Lily Muszynski and 2nd grader Daniel Mesa—backstage to meet Ralph the snake. They got to touch him, pet him, and hold him, and their faces lit up when Kohlrieser draped the snake over their shoulders. 

As they thanked him and left, Kohlrieser shook all of their hands, saying, “I think you’re a cool dude. And you, and you.”