BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Museum of Science in Boston may be closed to the public because of the coronavirus pandemic, but that didn't stop staff from honoring a special birthday for their animal ambassador.
Cooper the porcupine turned 32 Wednesday. He serves as the Museum of Science's animal ambassador, and the museum said he's believed to be the world's oldest living rodent.
Here's a video of Cooper eating a cake made of grated carrots and sweet potatoes, with smashed banana icing and corn kernel sprinkles on top.
Cooper lives in the museum's Live Animal Care Center, along with over 150 other animal ambassadors. The staff of the center is operating in reduced shifts right now in accordance with recommended social distancing guidelines.
The porcupine came to the museum from Maine. He was brought there by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, after a child found him and brought him to school.
"Now enjoying a leisurely retirement, Cooper, has helped educate countless children about native wildlife and the importance of habitat protection," the museum said in a release.
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