CLEVELAND, OH—April 30, 2026—The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is proud to announce a its next collaboration with nationally recognized photographer, Greg Murray, celebrating the animals of the Museum’s Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden—Presented by KeyBank.
Murray is a Cleveland-based photographer who specializes in lifestyle, portrait, and commercial animal photography. He is also a rescue animal advocate who regularly donates his time to take portraits of adoptable animals, and is the author of four books: Peanut Butter Dogs, Pit Bull Heroes, Peanut Butter Puppies, and Gotcha Day.
Murray has been partnering with the Museum since 2023. As a long-time visitor, he frequently photographed the animals at Perkins and shared the images with his social media audience.
“Since 2023, it has been an incredible privilege to partner with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and photograph many of its remarkable animal ambassadors,” said Murray. “Some of my favorite subjects have been Lance the porcupine and Murray the groundhog. The opportunity to help showcase animals like them and support the Museum’s mission through photography has been truly rewarding.”
This latest collection of photos continues to highlight some of the animal ambassadors who reside in Perkins Wildlife Center, with a special twist: each is photographed exploring the Museum’s newly transformed galleries and exhibits, revealing at times unique and unexpected connections to the science on view. In one photograph, Sweetie, a red-tailed hawk, perches before an exhibit exploring the evolutionary link between dinosaurs and modern birds. Another image captures Meeko, the albino raccoon, inside the Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium, exploring the color of our Universe in apparent wonder.
Murray’s photographs reflect the broader mission of Perkins Wildlife Center, where native Ohio species serve as ambassadors for conservation and education, and a deeper understanding of our region’s biodiversity. The space connects visitors to native Ohio plants and animals in a fully immersive experience, inviting them to stroll through five distinct ecological communities that are home to a variety of species. Each animal inside Perkins Wildlife Center is part of a rescue-and-rehabilitation effort, and none can successfully be released back into the wild. As such, they offer the Museum’s visitors a unique opportunity to connect with their neighborhood wildlife.
“We are deeply grateful to Greg for sharing his talent and creativity in support of the Museum’s mission,” said Melissa Santee, Chief Philanthropy Officer. “His work helps us bring the stories of the animals in our care to life and connect with new audiences in meaningful ways.”
Through this collaboration, the Museum and Murray continue to connect people with the natural world in meaningful and memorable ways. By pairing powerful visual storytelling with the hands-on conservation work at the Museum’s Perkins Wildlife Center, this project highlights the vital role the animals play as representatives for their species and the ecosystems they inhabit.
Access a folder of photos from the recent collaboration, here.
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 millions of 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 12,500 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, Marketing & Communications
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Office: 216.231.4600 x3432
Mobile: 440.429.2902
sguenther@cmnh.org
