BEMIDJI — Two of the neighborhood’s precious reptiles moneyed in their 401(k)s and crawled into retirement on Thursday, June 9.
Genie and Sally the snakes have actually functioned as instructional animals at Headwaters Science Center for their entire lives. Both of these committed staff members have actually offered whatever to the Bemidji neighborhood as they clocked in every day for the last 30-plus years.
As they check out the future, they both prepare to live out their golden years in personal houses to receive the personal care they’re accustomed to, get spoiled and take pleasure in some solitude.
Genie, a Ball Python snake, has actually been with Headwaters Science Center because its opening almost thirty years back.
Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer
“She’s seen it all,” HSC Executive Director Lee Furuseth said. “She’s served us extremely well and is a huge staple to the community.”
Sally is a Western Hognose snake and although she’s just half the size of Genie, her value to the science center has actually been simply as huge.
Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer
Working 7 days a week for the last thirty years at the only job they’ve ever understood, Genie and Sally have actually worked vigilantly to help kids of any ages find out about reptiles as HSC aims to help kids find out about science and nature every day. With various animals on screen for the general public to see, according to Furuseth, Genie was a fan favorite.
“She’s a lovely snake, very sweet and gentle and old. She’s blind but that comes with her old age,” HSC staff member Vanessa Martinez said. “That’s part of the reason we retired her and she’s been with us for so long. It’s only fair to let her go to a happy home.”
Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer
Many of the animals at the science center can be held and touched under guidance and in their older years, Genie and Sally are establishing arthritis, making it hard and unpleasant to be held by science center-goers.
Although they liked their jobs and all the kiddos they got to see regularly, they’re both all set to kick their tails up and think back about the splendor days at the science center.
“As you might imagine anyone getting ready for retirement, the body parts might be the reason and could relate to arthritis,” Furuseth said. “Life is just a little more difficult these days for Genie and Sally and that’s a good time to retire.”
Genie and Sally have been taken off the exhibit and patiently await their moving day. And while they could never be replaced, a new Ball Python named Basil has moved in and is all set to serve the science center-goers for many years to come.
Maggi Fellerman / Bemidji Pioneer
Maggi is a press reporter at the Bemidji Pioneer concentrating on outside and human interest stories. Raised in Aitkin, Minnesota, Maggi is a graduate of Bemidji State University’s class of 2022 with a degree in Mass Communication.
