[NHCOLL-L:1734] Informal Irish Elk Survey

[White, Rich]

I thought that the list might be interested in the results of my informal survey.  I had read (heard?) somewhere that most of the Irish Elk antlers on display were shed sets which had been mounted on plaster skull casts.

I received 19 replies listing a total of 27 skulls with antlers. Only one had a cast skull, all others were real skulls.  Two of the 26 real skulls had shed antlers attached to a skull, the rest were said to be the original antlers. Five replies mentioned mounted skeletons, but most did not indicate if the skull being reported accompanied a skeleton.  Eight replies came from the US, six from England, 3 from Canada, and one each from Australia and New Zealand.

Thanks to everyone for the information!

(Excuse the cross posting)

Richard S. White, Director
International Wildlife Museum
4800 West Gates Pass Road
Tucson, Arizona 85745
520-629-0100 Ext 252