In May 2024, Franklin Park Zoo completed a mural installation outside the doors of the Tropical Forest Building. The mural, titled “Handle with Care” and created by UK-based artist duo SNIK, aims to raise awareness for Zoo New England’s conservation initiatives by highlighting species like the western lowland gorilla, clouded leopard, black and white ruffed lemur, and Panamanian golden frog – all of which are species with compelling conservation stories.
“Conservation and education are the cornerstones of our mission, and this new mural is another way to connect our visitors to the incredible biodiversity of our planet,” says John Linehan, Zoo New England President and CEO. “By providing opportunities for people to more deeply understand the natural world and all of its inhabitants, we aim to build empathy, inspire people to take an active role in preserving healthy ecosystems, and create a better world for people, animals and wild places – now, and in the future.”
Every day, ZNE’s staff are working to save species from extinction while the Zoos are also serving as centers of education, conservation, and important research that is supporting field conservation. Utilizing cutting edge science, as well as partnerships with Boston’s leading institutions, ZNE’s impactful conservation field work is far-reaching, both locally and globally. From rare and threatened species right here in eastern Massachusetts to snow leopards in Mongolia, Cross-river gorillas in Nigeria, amphibians in Panama, and One Health work in Madagascar, ZNE is actively working to save animals from extinction.
SNIK’s collaboration with Franklin Park Zoo will seek to draw attention to the essential conservation work taking place on local and global levels, to the benefit of communities, animals and environments worldwide. Particular care is placed on collaboratively working with local communities to preserve and protect biodiversity, restore healthy habitats and to positively impact overall health – for people, animals, and habitats.
“Our modern-day, single-use society rarely allows time for reflection on our role within the natural world. Looking from a macro level to see the bigger picture is hugely important to the animals we share a planet with, and human health cannot be separated from that of the ecosystems on which we depend,” says SNIK, adding, “Art – public art particularly, acts as a means of sharing a message, and we have a responsibility to use our platform to amplify ZNE’s efforts. Art should ultimately be a vehicle for change, and initiatives like this will hopefully create a blueprint for others going forward.”
Handle with Care was made possible by the generous support of project partners: The Arel Family, Mirrione, Shaugnessy & Uitti, LLC, Sevigney-Lyons, Insurcomm, CertaPro Painters Andover, Johnson Paint, Blue Frog Bakery, Bank United, Avidia Bank, Adam Quenneville Roofing, RowCal Management, and Performance Landscaping.
See more of Snik’s work: @SnikArts on Instagram