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As part of its sponsorship of the Audubon Insectarium in New Orleans, Terminix has been given the honor of delivering the final bug, a Chinese praying mantis named Harry, to the new facility.MEMPHIS, Tenn. – It’s pretty prestigious to be a part of New Orleans’ soon-to-be-opened Audubon Insectarium, especially if you’re Harry, a Chinese praying mantis from Memphis, Tenn.
Harry, who will be the final insect delivered to Audubon Insectarium, will begin a 600 mile journey with a special bon voyage party in Memphis June 6 and 7, leaving in time for Terminix to escort him south to his new home at the soon-to-open Audbuon Insectarium.
“The Insectarium will be a one-of-a-kind facility that changes the way a lot of people view insects,” said Tom Brackett, Terminix president and chief operating officer. “We’ve been involved with the Insectarium since the very beginning, and as the presenting sponsor of the grand opening it’s an honor to take Harry on a multi-state tour before we deliver him to his new home.”
Harry’s trip, titled “Harry’s Big Adventure,” will traverse four states in five days and will include one-day stops in Birmingham, Ala., Montgomery, Ala., Mobile, Ala., and Biloxi, Miss.
Delivering Harry to Audubon Insectarium and joining him for his tour will be Bill Sims, a Terminix employee and Hurricane Katrina evacuee.
Sims, a long-time resident of New Orleans, lived two blocks from the 17th Street Canal levee, which broke, allowing water to flood his neighborhood. Evacuating with only the possessions they could carry, Sims relocated to Birmingham, Ala., where he lived for one year before returning to the Crescent City and re-establishing his family.
“Bill embodies the resiliency of the people of New Orleans and the rebirth that is taking place in the city, and he’s the perfect person to have the honor of presenting the final insect,” said Brackett.
Audubon Insectarium is a 23,000 square foot facility located in New Orleans’ historic U.S Custom House. The venue is the largest free-standing museum of its kind in the United States and is the first major attraction to open in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina.
The state-of-the-art facility will use a combination of live insects and engaging exhibits to allow visitors to get an up-close look at some of the ecosystem’s smallest, most important members. Museum highlights include a Japanese-inspired butterfly garden, a witty, multi-sensory movie showing in the Terminix Immersion Theater and much, much more.
“The Insectarium is going to be unlike anything most have ever seen. We’re all set for the opening, and all we need now is for Harry to hurry up and get down here. Let’s just all hope that Harry and Bill can agree on a radio station,” said Ron Forman, President and CEO of Audubon Nature Institute.
Harry’s adventure can be tracked at www.harrysbigadventure.com. His blog includes a map that allows visitors to track his progress headed south and also includes Harry’s musical playlist, photo galleries and continuous updates on the things he sees and the people he meets along the way.