[Nhcoll-l] outsourcing specimen prep

[Chupasko, Judy]

Hi Becky,
While I agree with what everyone is saying on this list-serve, out-sourcing specimen preparation and the quality of work/data expected etc. would entirely depend on whom you hired to prepare the specimens. I would thoroughly check the background/experience of the person, as well as, try to hire an expert in the appropriate field.   I myself, have thought about doing consultant work, once semi-retired, on this very topic.  I have been collecting/preparing/conserving/managing mammal specimens/collections for over 25 years. I have prepared everything from beached whales to tiny shrews, both in laboratory and field conditions, I take copious notes during necropsies of EVERY specimen, as well as tons of measurements, I save complete skeletons, make high quality study skins or hides, save tissues, parasites, embryos, record stomach contents, etc.  I also try to train/teach as many people as possible in these techniques.......I think that is VERY important in this day and age. Specimen preparation is a dying art in my opinion, especially when so many mammalogy/biology courses are not able to or refrain from collecting/dissecting animals (health and safety regulations, ethical considerations, etc.).
My two cents, :) Judy

Judith M. Chupasko, Curatorial Associate
Department of Mammalogy
Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology
26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, Mass. 02138
617-495-2469
jchupasko at oeb.harvard.edu

From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Desjardins, R.B.
Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2012 8:00 AM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] outsourcing specimen prep

Hello all;

Upper management at my institute would like to being outsourcing all specimen preparation:  study skins of vertebrates, spirits for herps and fish, paleo and geo, inverts, everything (except plants, maybe) to save money.   I was curious if any other institutes  has done this or has experience with anything like this?  Personally, I think it is a bad idea (and it seems most folks here agree) but I would love to know if anyone is trying this.

Thanks,

Becky Desjardins

NCB Naturalis
Leiden, Netherlands
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