CLEVELAND—January 15, 2024—One of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s newest animal ambassadors, Murray, has officially become Ohio’s “Buckeye Chuck.” Besides his newest gig as the state’s official weather-predicting groundhog, Murray can often be found participating in live animal programs, helping to educate the public about the importance of Ohio's native wildlife.
Since Murray’s arrival at the Museum in June 2023, he has been enjoying new enrichment items and learning to train for both educational programs and veterinary checkups. He will now begin preparing for his February 2 debut for iHeart Media’s Groundhog’s Day live broadcast! All animal ambassadors at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History participate in voluntary training and enrichment. In preparation for this event, the Museum’s Wildlife staff will begin to introduce Murray to a “den” and platform so he can choose to participate in a hands-off weather prediction.
Before his arrival at the Museum, Murray was found injured on the roadside. The groundhog was nursed back to health, but it was determined that he could not be released into nature. He now resides in the Museum’s Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden—Presented by KeyBank.
“Not only does Murray have a safe and nurturing new home, but our guests also have a chance to learn from him, so it’s a perfect pairing,” says Director of Wildlife Jim Nemet. “The goal of the Perkins Wildlife Center is to allow people to get up close and learn about Ohio Wildlife, and Murray’s addition helps out with that tremendously.”
You will see Murray in his new role as Buckeye Chuck on February 2, 2024, when he participates in the Groundhog Day ceremony to predict if there will be six more weeks of winter. If Murray does not see his shadow, he predicts an early spring.
“Murray will choose to participate on his terms, just like he does for educational programming at the Museum,” says Nemet.
The Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden—Presented by KeyBank is an immersive outdoor area located on the Museum’s University Circle campus. The center features native Ohio plants and wildlife and is home to rescued animals that are unable to return to the wild. This living collection provides Museum guests with the opportunity to experience Ohio wildlife in a unique educational setting. Access to the Perkins Wildlife Center is included in general admission.
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Transformation Project
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s $150 million transformation project is an unprecedented reinvention that will align the Museum’s architecture with its mission of instilling a passion for nature and science in all learners. The Transforming the World of Discovery campaign has raised more than $132 million for this project, which will expand the Museum's building to more than 375,000 square feet and its outdoor visitor areas to more than 2 acres.
The transformation project aims to broaden community access and help all stakeholders understand their connection with the natural world and the relevance of science to their daily lives. The latest milestone in this project was the opening in October 2023 of a welcoming new Visitor Hall, a free community space that showcases eight of the Museum’s most iconic objects and specimens. This dramatic, 14,650-square-foot gallery features ceilings that soar to 21 feet and stunning new exhibits placed along the Douglas McCreery and Dr. Laurie McCreery Timeline of the Earth, which marks key events in the history of the Universe. Slated for completion in late 2024, the Museum’s transformation encompasses a complete reimagining of the Museum campus and all its exhibits.
Pioneering a new model for natural history museums, the redesigned exhibits will highlight the Museum’s world-class assets while reflecting its role as a trusted community resource. The Museum appreciates the generous support from community members, corporations, foundations, and government grants that has helped to make this transformation a reality.
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History illuminates the world around us and inspires visitors to engage with the natural forces that shape their lives. Since its founding in 1920, the Museum has pioneered scientific research to advance knowledge across diverse fields of study and used its outstanding collections, which encompass more than 5 million artifacts and specimens, to deepen the public’s understanding of the dynamic connections between humans and nature. Through its Natural Areas Program, the Museum stewards more than 12,000 acres of protected ecosystems across northern Ohio. A community gathering place, educational center, and research institution, the Museum is a vital resource that serves Cleveland and the nation. For more information, visit CMNH.org.
Media Contact
Samantha Guenther, External Communications Manager
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
216.403.4557
sguenther@cmnh.org
