The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery’s Vertebrate Zoology Collection Manager, Belinda Bauer, presents the biographies of two zoological specimens in the TMAG collection where research has uncovered some surprising stories. Taxidermy made for display is often considered less significant in museum research collections. This is because much of it becomes disassociated with key data and through the rigours of public display - ends up in poor physical condition. However by tracing a specimen's biography and museum afterlife - much can be revealed about the development of natural history collections and changing attitudes towards animals.
Belinda has worked in many museum roles over the last seventeen years, at the Queensland Museum and the Natural History Museum of Ireland and TMAG. She has moonlighted as an archaeologist and has a Masters in Museum Studies.