Exhibitions at Fernbank (Tuesdays)

CRITIC’S PICK
Opens Sat., Oct. 10
The Secret World of Elephants, Fernbank Museum — The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), the African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis), and the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) are all extant, luckily for us, and this exhibit reveals their formidable brainpower, communication skills, and functions within varied habitats. Included in Secret World are depictions of prehistoric mastodons, like a full-scale interactive model of a woolly mammoth that demonstrates their peripatetic nature. Conservation issues come into play: poachers for the willful ivory trade, disruption from climate change, and hunting for sport by humans, among other calamities. “Elephants are great ambassadors and highlight the intersection between science, nature and culture,” says Fernbank VP Bobbi Hohmann. “Their fascinating stories connect across topics like evolution, biology, ecosystems, and human culture, deepening our understanding of these incredible animals.” — Kevin C. Madigan