Nature's Slowpokes in the Spotlight at the Biodôme - From June 7 to October 26 - Hurry Up and Slow Down at Montréal Space for Life

MONTRÉAL, May 22, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Starting June 7, Montréal Space for Life invites you to take it easy and enter the world of Nature's Slowpokes, the stars at the Biodôme. Sloths, the inspiration for this year's theme, will be in the spotlight. Space for Life offers everyone a unique opportunity to see them up close, in a temporary habitat designed just for them. This laid-back space offers a great view of different animal species that are true champions of indolence, including two-toed sloths, red-footed tortoises and Saharan spiny-tailed lizard.  It's a fascinating experience, well worth slowing down for!

Guaranteed smiles
The itinerary for Nature's Slowpokes, created by guest artist Marie-Claire Lagacé in collaboration with the Biodôme team, gives visitors a whole new perspective. It's all about taking your time, and understanding that nature's winners aren't always the fastest, but the best adapted.

In a colourful, welcoming setting, the sounds of the tropical forest trickle from sound showers dotted about the space. Visitors stroll slowly through a sunny, suspended installation consisting of long strings and floating notes with entertaining facts and anecdotes explaining what slowness means for various species.

In the amphitheatre, they can get another taste of what it means to slow down as they become part of the Symphony of Life, a musical creation telling the story of a sloth, portrayed through music, mime and movement. The audience becomes part of this delightful, relaxed experience, as the conductor leads them through a slow-paced choreographic symphony.

And it all leads to the sloth habitat, a cosy, appealing space where visitors will want to take a seat and admire the four magnificent specimens. It's a unique chance to get up close to these fascinating animals that make us think twice about our whole approach to time. Visitors can follow the sloths' example and linger, stretch out and relax. And dream, too, as the nature interpreters on hand tell their fabulous story.

Inspired by the "slow life" movement, Marie-Claire Lagacé wants to make a connection between the sloths and visitors. The talented creator, artistic director and set designer has imagined an itinerary that will prepare visitors of all ages to enter the sloth habitat in a calm frame of mind and leave the experience with smiles on their faces.

Fascinating, intriguing "nature's slowpokes"
The sloths at the Biodôme, tree-dwelling princes of lethargy, have some surprising characteristics: their front legs have two toes ending in powerful claws; their teeth have no enamel, and grow non-stop; their stomachs are similar to those of cows and other ruminants; and their body temperature varies, like that of reptiles. Visitors are sure to be intrigued!

Every sloth at the Biodôme has its own story, of course, but the most interesting one is surely that of the female born in 2008. After she was weaned, the young sloth began exploring the world away from her mother, but fell and fractured a femur. During her lengthy recovery and rehabilitation, she formed strong bonds with the Biodôme's Live Collections team.

As they dawdle in this exceptional discovery space, visitors will spot other interesting animal species there, including red-footed tortoises and Saharan spiny-tailed lizard.

Montréal Space for Life is made up of four attractions on the same site: the Biodôme, Botanical Garden, Insectarium and Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium. These four prestigious Montréal municipal institutions form Canada's largest natural science museum complex. Together, they are launching a daring, creative urban movement, urging everyone to rethink the connection between humankind and nature and cultivate a new way of living.

For further information and to purchase tickets online, see our website: montrealspaceforlife.ca.

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SOURCE: Ville de Montréal - Biodôme de Montréal

IXION Communications / Judith Dubeau, 514 495-8176, [email protected]; Nadine Fortin, Communications Co-ordinator, 514 868-3053, [email protected]