Jeff Musial of Nickel City Reptiles And Exotics is pictured. Submitted photo

Roger Tory Peterson’s Wild America Nature Festival, scheduled for July 28-29 at Panama Rocks, was created to help strengthen an emotional connection to the natural world and to facilitate understanding and respect for wild animals.

One of this year’s featured presenters is nationally- renowned animal expert and handler Jeff Musial. Over the past decade, Musial has been making a name for himself in the world of wild animals; from running his nationally recognized animal sanctuary to making many television appearances on CBS’ “The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet,” NBC’s “Today Show,” “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” and “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.” Jeff’s vast knowledge of exotic animals, worldwide, coupled with his comedic styling and endearing personality have made him an uncontrollable force when it comes to educating people of all ages about the many different animal species that inhabit the world.

Since childhood, Musial surrounded himself with animals. What started with catching garter snakes and frogs in the backyard quickly transitioned to working in a pet shop, studying zoology in college and ultimately, launching his own animal sanctuary, Nickel City Reptiles and Exotics in 1999.

Through Nickel City Reptiles and Exotics, Musial has not only rescued thousands of rare and exotic animals but he has been captivating audiences of all ages with his blend of education and entertainment.

When asked how he got started in his work with animals, Musial replied, “When I was a kid I just loved animals. I was a zookeeper for Halloween from the time I was two until I was probably a senior in high school. That was my go-to: I’m a zookeeper Halloween costume. But anyways, I just loved animals. I wanted to make a career out of it, and I wanted to teach people about how cool animals were. As a kid I had a science teacher that had a room with like turtles and snakes and fish in it. Hamsters and gerbils, and that was like my heaven. I didn’t want to leave. I just wanted to learn about it all day and sleep over there even. When I got older I was like, that’s what I’m gonna do. I’m gonna be a science teacher with a room of animals. Or maybe I’ll be a zookeeper.”

When asked if there is an underlying purpose to his work other than to entertain and educate his audience, Musial said he feels that nowadays everyone is in sort of a technological coma always staring at screens. He wants to bring the animals that people see on Google or on nature shows right in front of their faces.

“You see something, you fall in love with that something, you want to share that something or help that something, and that’s how it all comes full circle,” Musial said.

When asked if he was familiar with the life and work of Roger Tory Peterson, Musial replied, “Yeah, I was reading some of his back story on (RTPI’s) website, and I feel like we were kinda cut from the same cloth.” He also indicated that he is looking forward to his appearances at the Wild America Nature Festival where he will enjoy the company of so many other animal and nature enthusiasts.

In addition to Jeff Musial’s entertaining animal show, the Wild America Nature Festival will include rehabilitated and free-flying birds and other live animal displays. The festival will also feature headlining talks by Roger Tory Peterson’s son, Lee Peterson, and nationally best-selling author Jennifer Ackerman; a Nature Art and Craft show; a Local Food Cook-off; lectures, classes and workshops; and live music.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.wildamericafest.com.