This past week I went specimen collecting with the Natural History Wing of the Swaziland National Museum. Mbandla is the Exhibition Specialist in the museum, so it is his job to update and care for the museum's exhibits, which consist of both natural and cultural materials, including animal skin, pottery, cloth and wood. He works closely with the museum's conservator Donald.
In the top picture Mbandla and I are collecting impala and baboon poop. Reason for this, is, of course, to put into the lowveld and highveld dioramas. Fortunately, when animal poop is dried out it does not smell at all. It no longer contains bacteria or insects, making it o.k. to be placed into a museum environment, which needs to be "sterile."
1 comment:
Very interesting....but I'll still use a plastic bag for picking up Cookie's poop! and of course, we won't be saving it for any exhibits in Watertown.
Sandy Mac
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