BANGOR – Put on your pith helmet, grab your camera and binoculars, and get ready for a wild grand opening of the new traveling exhibit, “Safari, Treasures from the Smithsonian,” Saturday and Sunday, May 13-14, at Maine Discovery Museum on Main Street.

See and touch animals from around the world, including African lions, greater kudu, and the majestic red stag. As many as 30 museum-quality mounted animals acquired from the Smithsonian Institution will be on display.

See the animals and learn about their natural habitat and the importance of habitat preservation. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and may be seen only at the Maine Discovery Museum, May 13-Sept. 3.

The exhibit has been a collaboration with Howard Whitten, and the taxidermy and honors science students from Nokomis High School in Newport. Many dedicated and talented students put in long hours refurbishing the mounts and creating bases for the animals.

Taxidermy is an art and science form and the exhibit gives visitors a behind the scenes look at what it takes to make the animals look so real.

A special preview night for museum members and donors will be held 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, May 11. Light refreshments will be provided, and children may make animal masks to take home.

The exhibit is made possible with funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.