May 8, 2008

Coyote Point Museum upgrades wildlife exhibits

By Alan Fackler / Bay Area News Group

Some big changes to the outdoor wildlife section along with a brand-new exhibit highlight the new face of San Mateo's Coyote Point Museum.

Many of the alterations involved swapping chain-link fences for large glass windows, allowing attendees to get a clear yet unobtrusive look at the animals in their natural surroundings. The response so far has been dramatic, said Dinah McFarlane, the museum's marketing and development manager.

"The kids just run right up without hesitating," said McFarlane, adding that the response from parents has been positive as well.

The outdoor exhibit, which now allows better access to the animals, includes a bobcat, porcupines, badgers and a variety of other mammals and reptiles.

"When the bobcat's home was redone, she was so happy that she was rolling around on the ground like a kitten," McFarlane said.

The museum also has a new exhibit featuring a series of electric vehicles. The display, which opened Sunday, showcases custom-built electric cars and scooters. One of the vehicles gets 245 miles to the gallon.

"It's great to see parents discussing this sort of thing with their children," McFarlane said. "We're educating children at a very young age about the importance of our environment."

Coyote Point Museum is just off Highway 101 at 1651 Coyote Point Drive. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Due to a Caltrans construction project, regular access to the museum from Bayshore Boulevard will be interrupted for two weeks beginning May 12. For more information, including alternate directions, call the museum at 650-342-7755 or visit its Web site at www.coyoteptmuseum.org.