[NHCOLL-L:5881] Re: freeze dried specimens .v.traditional taxidermy

[Couteaufin at aol.com]

Hi Ruth,
 
I have prepared quite a few specimens via the freeze-dried method using a  
rather ancient (early '70s) Edwards EF2 freeze drier.  These were small  
items such as our smaller bats (pipistrelles &c) and mice and voles;  they 
looked good.  I did have to add some 5% Eulan / Edolan in isopropanol  via 
injection once they were finished so that they wouldn't get munched and the  
results were most effective.  Trouble is that Eulan is now banned due to  H&S 
toxicity reasons and some other mothproofer must be sought as  freeze-dried 
specimens are more tasty than normal (and non-proofed) taxidermy  specimens.
For larger mammals (domestic cats), the EF2 was incredibly slow (up to one  
year for a cat to reach constant weight) and as it uses quite a lot of  
power, this process was deemed non-effective costwise!  More up-to-date  
machines may be quicker/cheaper to run.
I know that some preparators eviscerate their specimens and arrange them in 
 the correct pose by adding tissue paper to preserve the form of  the  
external morphology but I have not done this myself as the cats were required  
intact.
 
Hope that this helps.
 
With all good  wishes, Simon

Simon Moore MIScT, FLS, ACR,
Conservator of Natural  Sciences,

_www.natural-history-conservation.com_ 
(http://www.natural-history-conservation.com/)  
_www.pocket-fruit-knives.info_ (http://www.pocket-fruit-knives.info/)  

_http://uk.linkedin.com/in/naturalsciencespecimenconserve_ 
(http://uk.linkedin.com/in/naturalsciencespecimenconserve)   


In a message dated 07/03/2012 23:09:55 GMT Standard Time,  
Ruth.Mollison at tmag.tas.gov.au writes:

 
Hello, 
I need to gather information on the advantages of freeze  dried taxidermy 
mounts versus traditionally made taxidermy mounts. This is for  the museum I 
work for as it is undergoing a major redevelopment in exhibitions  at 
present. 
I would love to have some opinions, information and  experiences of using 
both these methods. 
Ruth  Mollison    
Zoology  Registration Officer/   Tasmanian Museum and Art  Gallery  / City 
site: 5 Argyle Street HOBART/ Rosny Site: Collections  and Research, 
Winkleigh Place Rosny. 
Department of  Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts 
Rosny phone: 6211  4172 
City Phone: 6211  4203 
Email: _ruth.mollison at tmag.tas.gov.au_ 
(mailto:ruth.mollison at tmag.tas.gov.au)  
I work Tuesday  to Friday at either the Rosny or the city sites. 


 
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