The Delbridge Museum of Natural History, in South Dakota, which houses a collection of more than 150 mounted animals from around the world, has been shut down by the Great Plains Zoo. The zoo announced the closure on Thursday, citing the need to ensure the safety and well-being of the museum’s specimens and visitors.
The zoo’s CEO Becky Dewitz said strong chemicals were used in the taxidermy process and that tests found detectable levels of those chemicals in the museum, KELO-TV reported.
“The specimens were harvested in the 1940s through the 1970s. Prior to the 1980s, it was common to use strong chemicals in the taxidermy process all over the world for preservation of the hides,” the zoo said in a statement on its website.
The museum’s collection of animals on display was one of the largest in the region. Sioux Falls businessman Henry Brockhouse assembled the collection that includes animals from six continents over several decades. Photos of the collection show an elephant, giraffe, rhinoceros, zebras and other animals.
“As the specimens continue to age, there is more potential for chemical exposure,” it added. “Out of an abundance of caution,” the city and zoo decided to decommission the collection.
The question arises, however, about other museums that house a similar collection. One of the largest of these is the New York Museum of Natural History. Is there a hazard there as well? Some of the taxidermy specimens housed there date back to the 19th century.
Taxidermy is the art of preserving animal skins and mounting them on a frame or a model. This process invariably involves the use of various chemicals, some of which are hazardous to human health and the environment. For example, arsenic, mercury, naphthalene, para-dichlorobenzene, asbestos, and DDT are all commonly found in taxidermy collections. These chemicals were used to treat skins during preparation and helped reduce mold and pest damage. However, they can also cause skin irritation, respiratory problems, cancer, and other serious health effects if inhaled or ingested.
They can also contaminate the soil and water if not disposed of properly. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the hazard exists in all such exhibits, especially for the staff and visitors who are exposed to them on a regular basis.
The Delbridge Museum of Natural History, the zoo and city of South Dakota will work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to safely dispose of the taxidermy mounts, a process that is expected to take several months.
