Maine science teacher seeking home for surplus exotic animals from Smithsonian’s collection

Maine teacher seeks home for Smithsonian creatures

BANGOR, Maine — A Maine teacher who received a bunch of exotic stuffed animals from the Smithsonian Institution is looking for a permanent home for the creatures.

The collection, including a pair of lions and two dozen other creatures, was donated to Nokomis Regional High School science teacher Howard Whitten for educational purposes in 2004.

Since then, they’ve been displayed at a variety of locations. The Bangor Daily News says some of them ended up in an upstairs bathroom at the school last year. Now, they’re locked in a trailer.

Whitten says it’s important “to find homes for these critters.” He says he’s looking for businesses, public institutions and even private entities who’ll volunteer to display the priceless collection.

Information from: Bangor Daily News, www.bangornews.com