1. The art of preparation

The art of preparation

Why?

And what for?

Muzeum Przyrodnicze in Jelenia Góra has had a partnership with zoological gardens for a few years now. Signed agreements for cooperation with zoological gardens in Wrocław, Chorzów and Poznan, led to acquisition of animals after their natural death or veterinarian euthanasia. Animals passing away is part of the rearing process and it can’t be avoided. Every place with closed rearing must cope with death of their wards. Even with all the sadness after the loss, there is a need of taking proper action to utilise corpses of fallen or euthanised animals.

Based on current legal regulations – in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009, which specifies sanitary rules for animal by-products and derived products not intended for human consumption – animal carcasses are treated as Category 1 waste and must be disposed of or processed in an appropriate processing plant.

This is the moment where work of a preparator begins, with the proper permits they can process the animal remains.

Exhibits that are presented here, were received from such animal rearing, and are excellent example of conscious look at death theme.

Death in unavoidable, yet the possibility of giving a „second life” should be a norm and not wasteful utilisation between institutions.

Preparators work leads to averting loosing priceless biological material, which can be used in many science works, be a part of education and new experiences, and at the museum: an exhibit with a high aesthetic value.

Modern preparation workshop is equipped with many modern-day devices and chemicals that are helpful with work on organic matter remade into inanimate exhibits.

Chemicals that are used today, replaced ones used in XIX and XX centuries, are way more effective and less harmful for preparators health than for example arsenic.

For preparators work one can find many helpful components used to faithfully imitating natural beauty that animals had when they were still alive.

In specialized companies it is possible to buy components necessary for correctly creating an exhibit: trunks made from polyurethane foam, artificial eyes, teeth, tongues, noses, claws, parts of fur, feathers, scales etc.

Skilled and professional usage of techniques and technology guarantee existence of exhibits for many years preserving them in best possible condition.

Like the exhibits that were made by our predecessors, let’s make something that will be more than just a memory

Tomasz Sokołowski (preparator-conservator)