A new zoological museum opened its doors to the public here last June. Located on Montée Ryan (Exit 119 of Hwy. 117) in Mont-Tremblant, the innovative museum exhibits an exceptional collection of close to 300 animals presented in natural poses, as well as hundreds of arthropods.

Animalium provides a window on the animal world in four natural environments: the temperate forest of the Mont-Tremblant region, the temperate forest of Europe, the Arctic tundra and the African savannah. The permanent exhibition presents the major characteristics of these biomes, the adaptations of the animals living there, the dangers that threaten these habitats and the measures needed to protect them. Here visitors discover such fascinating creatures as the moose, European lynx, polar bear, muskox, giraffe, warthog, snowy owl, wood duck, turkey vulture, hammerhead shark, and many others.

Part of the exhibition is given over to comparison of the exploits of animals and humans in ten athletic disciplines. It’s a tip of the hat to the recreational tourism and sports-related role of this region which, every year, welcomes the famous Ironman triathlon. As for the curiosity room, it features an impressive collection of arthropods including hundreds of insects, spiders and scorpions. There’s an art gallery, too, dedicated to nature and presenting works by naturalist artists from Quebec and elsewhere.

Fully financed by private funding, Animalium results from the collaboration of Maxime Bontout, manager of the Sélénia Lodge group, a high-end tourist residence on the Rockway Valley road in St-Rémi d’Amherst, and the author of this column.

Animalium is an exciting discovery venue open daily from Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry is free for those under the age of 12 and an educational document is available for school visits. For more information, go to animalium.ca