Philosphy on Captive Animals

The wild animals at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center are ambassadors of their species, here for the purpose of educating our visitors about New Hampshire's natural world. Most are orphaned, injured, or otherwise unable to survive in the wild. Observing these animals up-close, together with experiencing our hands-on exhibits, offers visitors the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of our native wildlife and appreciation of the natural world.

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is committed to maintaining captive, primarily non-releasable native wildlife to enhance education on our exhibit trails and in our programs. The following guidelines uphold this commitment:

Standards for accepting or obtaining a new animal:

Science Center must have a determined need/use for the animal
Science Center must have the resources to care for the animal (space, budget, time)
Science Center must be able to obtain the necessary permits
Animal must be native to New Hampshire (snakes are exception)
Animal must be a species that can be legally possessed and/or imported to New Hampshire
Animal must have no long-term health problems Animal must be cosmetically acceptable (no full wing/limb amputations, etc.)
Animal must be comparatively easy to maintain and able to adapt well to captivity

Naming

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center's live animals serve as valuable teaching tools to educate our audiences about each species’ role in its environment. To reduce focus on the individual animal and the inherent risk of making wild animals appear as "pets," the Science Center does not use "pet" names for exhibit or program animals.

Breeding

As a general policy Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is a non-breeding facility. With few exceptions the animal collection does not contain threatened or endangered species, and as a result, animal breeding creates a burden of care and deposition of surplus animals. In circumstances where multiple animals of the same species are housed together the male(s) will be neutered.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees on April 17, 1999.

Chantilly Lace, 05/09/21
It was nice to visit. However , the price is high yet I understand why. They are a nonprofit and need the money. I do wish they had a post up talking about the animal in the exhibit. For example the 3 legged fisher. I would of liked to of learned more about them. Is there a sight online to learn about them. Some stuff was closed but is understandable.
Rebecca Thatcher-lord, 07/01/21
Got a season pass for family. A favorite for family when they visit from Pennsylvania. The children love it! It's a wonderful walk for the adults. Had my hips done a couple years ago and have no problem walking the paths. Seeing the animals and learning all about them is so much fun.
Terra Fletcher, 10/30/21
Loved this place when I was seven and love it still. It's only gotten better, while keeping a lot of the charming natural interactive pieces that I remember. Even now I had a lot of TIL moments. We went when it was raining so it was pretty quiet, and all of the animal enclosures have covered areas so we didn't even get too wet. Animals looked healthy and calm as well.
Kimberly Wright, 06/12/19
We enjoyed our visit to Squam Lakes Nature Center. The exhibits were informative and animals were out and about. Nice clear trails to walk. The kids interactive play area and barn was impressive. The gift shop was a bonus-with many books and misc items to purchase. We were interested in the lake cruise but unfortunately it was not available due to school groups on the day of our visit. Keep up the good work for New Hampshire nature!
Jeff Sirles, 08/30/19
If you're looking for a place where you can have fun, learn, enjoy nature as an adult or a child, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is a great place to be! You can also experience Squam Lake by taking one of their cruises. This is a must-do! If you're in the lakes region of NH and you are able to make it here, be sure to go. You will have a great time.