CLEVELAND—November 18, 2024—This summer, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History welcomed two new arrivals to the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden—Presented by KeyBank: George Clooney, a 6-month-old male red fox, and Remi, a 1-year-old female raccoon. After successful rehabilitation, these charming newcomers arrived at the Museum and began slow, careful introductions to the Museum’s current fox and raccoon residents.
Clooney, affectionately named after the actor George Clooney due to his charismatic nature, came to the Museum from WEST Wildlife Rehab near Cincinnati. After being taken from the wild as a young kit, he developed a bone disease that left him unable to survive in his natural habitat. Despite his condition, Clooney is a playful and curious young fox who now shares his home with Scarlet, a 12-year-old female red fox who has lived in the Perkins Wildlife Center since 2012.
Meanwhile, Remi, a young raccoon born in 2023, also arrived at the Museum after being raised as a pet. Like Clooney, Remi is unfit for release in the wild due to her dependency on humans. Over the past few months, she has been slowly introduced to Meeko, the Museum’s 9-year-old albino male raccoon, who was rescued in 2015 after being found alone in a factory.
A Cleveland Meet-Cute
Introducing two animals of the same species might sound straightforward, but at the Museum, these introductions are handled with careful planning and attention to detail. The introduction process began in late summer, with each new animal undergoing a 30-day quarantine period to ensure it did not pose any health risks to the existing residents. The Museum’s wildlife specialists then began to familiarize the new and existing residents with each other’s scents before introducing them face-to-face in late September.
“We have to pre-plan for every scenario before, during, and after the introductions,” says Jim Nemet, the Museum’s Director of Wildlife. “Things don’t always go perfectly, but we are prepared for that.”
These initial meetings were brief but positive, with staff on hand to supervise interactions, shower the animals with attention and treats, and ensure each had an escape route if the interaction became too stressful. As the animals became more accustomed to each other, they started spending more time together. Each pair is currently spending up to a full day together. Visit the Museum’s blog page to learn more about the wildlife introduction process!
As Clooney, Scarlet, Remi, and Meeko continue to adjust to their new living arrangements, they will help teach visitors about their connection to Ohio’s native wildlife.
Museum visitors can now view Clooney and Remi alongside their counterparts. For more information on the Perkins Wildlife Center, visit CMNH.org or follow the Museum on social media for updates on the animal ambassadors.
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 Contacts:
Samantha Guenther
External Communications Manager, Marketing & Communications
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Office: 216.231.4600 x3432
Mobile: 440.429.2902
sguenther@cmnh.org
