Taxidermy Art in Mysuru: Manjula's Animal Preservation Interview

Museum collection care involves preventive conservation and intervention treatment. Preventive conservation includes controlling sunlight, ultraviolet light, temperature, and humidity to prevent deterioration. The museum's glass roof creates challenges similar to keeping valuables in a greenhouse. Intervention conservation involves preparing specimens when they arrive, including taxidermy (which evolved from Victorian methods using timber, straw, and plaster to modern foam and fiberglass) and preserving specimens in alcohol or as dried shells. Organic specimens require stable environments to prevent damage from fluctuating humidity and temperature.

Preventive conservation protects museum collections by identifying and mitigating threats such as fire, water, pests, pollutants, and light exposure; this involves controlling environmental conditions like humidity and temperature (with metal objects requiring lower humidity to prevent corrosion and organic objects needing higher humidity to prevent brittleness), using specialized equipment and monitoring systems, and employing scientific testing methods like the Oddy test (developed by Andrew Oddy at the British Museum in the 1970s) to assess material safety and Microfading to test lighting effects on artifacts.

Preservation and conservation is another important function of museums as custodians of heritage. Objects require regular care because every object is subject to deterioration due to spontaneous change in environment and subsequent physiochemical factors. Regular care is required in both display and storage. Museums practice various preservation techniques which are exclusively object-specific to protect them from attack by organisms like fungus, insect, and rodent, and damage from humidity, temperature, and light source intensities. Following preventive conservation or curative conservation wherever needed, museums ensure that objects are scientifically preserved so that people generation after generation can view and know about heritage.

Preventive conservation measures include: (1) Maintaining climatic conditions (RH 45-55%, light 50 lux, temperature 20°C ± 2°C); (2) Regular cleaning and dusting; (3) Controlling microclimate in storage areas; (4) Using humidifiers/dehumidifiers as needed; (5) Reducing light exposure by rotating objects between gallery and storage; (6) Using occupancy sensors to turn off lights when no visitors; (7) Applying reflective coatings to reduce temperature; (8) Using LED and optical fiber lighting.

Preventive conservation in museums involves monitoring and controlling environmental factors such as light (visible and ultraviolet), temperature, and humidity to protect specimens from deterioration, along with using specialized cleaning tools like delicate brushes and sponges to safely remove dust and debris without damaging the objects.

Museum specimen collections have evolved from simple preservation efforts into powerful tools for modern genetic research. Specimens collected today may be used by scientists 25, 35, or 40 years from now to study biogeography, evolutionary patterns, and molecular genetics. Researchers can extract DNA from preserved tissue samples to investigate species relationships, hybridization events, and population histories that were impossible to study when specimens were originally collected. This forward-looking approach transforms museum collections into living laboratories where each preserved specimen represents a snapshot in time containing genetic material that will enable future scientific discoveries. The long-term value of these collections ensures that current conservation efforts benefit future generations of researchers.

Modern molecular techniques enable DNA extraction from century-old museum specimens, including those preserved in fingernail polish remover and acetone. Collections from institutions like the American Museum of Natural History (23 million specimens) provide invaluable genetic resources. DNA successfully amplified from specimens collected as early as 1909 and 1911, demonstrating that historical collections remain scientifically valuable for contemporary phylogenetic studies.

Ancient DNA is genetic material from sources not preserved for this purpose, such as museum specimens, fossils, or remains. These specimens, stored without genetic preservation conditions, undergo degradation over time. Scientists use special techniques to recover fragmented DNA and analyze genetic codes to understand evolution, ecology, and history. Samples are collected from bones (drilling small holes for bone powder) or skin fragments. The oldest Andean bear specimen in Colombia dates to 1913 (107 years old).

Museum specimens can preserve DNA for up to 200,000 years. Ancient DNA is fragmented but can be reassembled using modern techniques. For the passenger pigeon, only a small amount of toe pad tissue was needed from Smithsonian specimens to obtain the complete genome. This opens possibilities for bringing back extinct species through genetic reconstruction.

The quagga, an extinct zebra relative, became the first subject of ancient DNA research in 1984. Scientists extracted DNA from a small piece of connective tissue attached to a museum skin, sequencing 229 nucleotides of mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondrial DNA is preferred because each cell contains hundreds to thousands of mitochondria, each with its own genome, amplifying available genetic material. The 1988 peat bog study of Native American remains demonstrated how acidic, anaerobic conditions can preserve DNA for centuries. Scientists discovered that modern human DNA amplifies efficiently during PCR regardless of fragment length, while ancient DNA shows reduced amplification efficiency due to degradation. This difference became a crucial tool for distinguishing authentic ancient DNA from laboratory contamination. The 1993 film Jurassic Park inspired widespread public interest in ancient DNA research, leading to both legitimate scientific advances and questionable claims. Following early controversies, the field developed rigorous standards including strict laboratory protocols to prevent contamination, separate ventilation systems for ancient DNA facilities, and requirements for independent laboratory replication before publication. Ancient DNA can be extracted from unexpected materials beyond bones and teeth. A 2020 study successfully extracted DNA from a 2,900-year-old brick that had broken twice, demonstrating that even seemingly inert materials can preserve genetic information. Museum storage conditions significantly impact ancient DNA preservation. Research comparing specimens from different museums found that even relatively recent museum storage (decades) can destroy most ancient DNA. Traditional preservation methods including chemical treatments can degrade genetic material. The 2008 Paleo-Eskimo study required negotiating with modern descendants of the culture, who conducted a ritual burning of one hair bundle as an offering to the gods before allowing researchers to study remaining samples. This highlights the need for cultural sensitivity and collaboration with descendant communities when conducting ancient DNA research on human remains. Ancient DNA extraction requires strict sterile protocols including protective equipment and isolated laboratories with separate ventilation systems. Teeth are excellent ancient DNA sources because they are highly resistant to degradation and contain a canal system connected to the blood supply. This means teeth can preserve not only the individual's DNA but also DNA from pathogens, bacteria, and other organisms present in the bloodstream. This makes teeth valuable for studying ancient diseases, infections, and the ancient microbiome. Ancient DNA analysis revealed that human populations experienced a severe bottleneck approximately 900,000 years ago, when the entire human population was reduced to about 1,200 individuals capable of reproduction, remaining stable for approximately 100,000 years. Scientists have successfully extracted and sequenced DNA from specimens dating back 2 million years, representing the current record for ancient DNA.

Dermestid beetles (family Dermestidae) are approximately 1,700 species of small oval, dark brown or black beetles found worldwide. They appear late in decomposition during the dry stage when most other insects have departed, feeding exclusively on dried skin, tendons, hair, cartilage, and dead insects. Their presence indicates the body has been present for weeks or months. Outside forensics, they are used to clean skeletons for museums and taxidermy. They have a fossil record dating back to the Late Triassic or Early Jurassic (approximately 200 million years ago).

Before skeletons can enter museum collections, they must undergo flesh-eating beetle processing. These beetles, particularly their larvae, consume all muscle tissue from bones, removing material that human preparators cannot efficiently clean. The adult beetles primarily reproduce rather than feed. This biological cleaning method is far more effective than manual cleaning for removing minute tissue details from bone surfaces, making it an essential step in professional skeletal preparation for scientific collections.

This video demonstrates the preparation process for cleaning a whitetail buck skull using dermestid beetles, showing how to properly set up the skull before introducing the beetles to remove organic tissue.

The scientific process of skeletal preparation involves multiple specialized stages. Flensing removes tissue using sharp knives, with techniques varying by species—marine mammals require special attention for oily tissue, while young specimens need extra care as bones fuse from 350+ neonatal bones to 206 adult bones. Dermestid beetles (Dermestes maculatus) serve as primary cleaners, consuming only decaying tissue; a healthy colony maintains equal adults and larvae with a four-to-six-month life cycle. Chemical whitening uses hydrogen peroxide mixtures avoiding bleach to preserve collagen. Articulation restores skeletons to lifelike poses using rods, wires, and frameworks, with large specimens weighing nearly 2,000 pounds requiring strong materials. Human specimens exist in two categories: commercial specimens purchased for $1,800-$5,000 and donated specimens from medical donor programs. Dinosaurs are studied using comparative anatomy principles, revealing muscle attachments, locomotion patterns, diet through dentition wear, and geographic origins through elemental composition. The museum offers forensic date nights where participants analyze replica skulls for age, sex, trauma, and disease, reaching approximately 7,000 students annually.

Museum specimen preparation involves removing organs, skin, and muscle from dead animals, then using dermestid beetles (flesh-eating beetles) to clean remaining tissue in every nook and cranny; the beetles are then frozen to death, leaving behind clean skeletons for public display. This process, while seemingly gross, is essential for creating educational specimens that help people understand life through studying death.

Taxidermy encompasses multiple types: traditional (photorealistic trophy-style for mammals, birds, fish), pet preservation, biological art (using feathers, beetles, bacteria), and interpretive or Rogue style (using traditional supplies in unconventional ways). Historical pioneers transformed taxidermy from mere preservation into a powerful medium for conservation awareness and artistic expression. William Temple Horn was one of the most prolific 20th-century taxidermists, responsible for gaining public interest in the dying buffalo crisis by collecting remaining buffalo for dioramas. Carl Akley and Dilia Akley created some of the best dioramas in the United States for the Smithsonian. Marray Elizabeth Opheim was among the first to take taxidermy into surrealist art. Serena Brewer helped define 'Rogue Taxidermy' along with other Minnesota artists. Contemporary artists like Kate Clark transform discarded hides into human-animal hybrids, Jessica Joclyn creates metal sculptures with taxidermy elements, and Catherine Con creates social commentary through 'The Canary Suicides' series. Victoria Lady creates wearable leather goods from unconventional materials, while Iris creates wearable taxidermy like stilettos.

Rogue taxidermy is a form of fine art that uses taxidermy-related materials to create abstract and conceptual sculptures, where artists like Sarina Brewer transform donated animal parts into meaningful works that honor the animal's life cycle while exploring themes of mortality and transformation.

Rogue taxidermy is an artistic practice where artists combine parts from different animals to create creatures that do not exist in nature, such as combining a baboon skull with fish parts to produce hybrid specimens that appear realistic but are entirely fabricated.

Rogue Taxidermy is an artistic practice where artists combine animal parts to create new, imaginative creatures, viewing dead animals not as waste but as raw materials that can be transformed into meaningful art, thereby appreciating the complete cycle of life including both living and deceased animals.

Taxidermy is considered a legitimate form of contemporary art because it uniquely combines artistic creativity with scientific knowledge, requiring practitioners to master multiple disciplines including woodworking, sculpture, painting, and anatomy to create lifelike representations of animals that preserve specimens forever and inspire appreciation for wildlife; this craft attracts passionate individuals who view their work as a way to connect people with nature and demonstrate that traditional skills can be both scientifically rigorous and artistically meaningful.