Why dead specimens are reserved for museum

Straits Times Forum 10 Dec 11;

THE flora and fauna in our parks and nature reserves are managed with a priority for conservation, research and education ('NParks should share dead specimens' by Mr Ken Mar; Thursday). Dead fauna found in our parks and nature reserves are sent to the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research in the National University of Singapore, which is the national depository for animals in Singapore for long-term research and science.

These specimens are preserved in a variety of ways so as to maximise their research, conservation and educational value. Study of our dead fauna is important to biodiversity conservation and management in Singapore as it allows us to understand changes in biodiversity better, such as changes in diet, growth patterns and breeding cycles.

There are actually very few of such specimens, and it is in the interest of the conservation of Singapore's biodiversity to retain them for long-term research rather than commercial purposes.

Dr Leong Chee Chiew
Commissioner of Parks & Recreation
National Parks Board

NParks should share dead specimens
Straits Times Forum 8 Dec 11;

WHAT is the rationale for the National Parks Board (NParks) to reserve animal, insect, bird and fish carcasses in the parks and reserves exclusively for the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research?

By contrast, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority does not object to taxidermists like me collecting these specimens, provided we obtain the required licences. The problem is that the area under its jurisdiction is small compared to that of NParks.

Denying taxidermists access to these specimens prevents them from carrying out their work and improving their skills.

NParks justifies its practice by citing the law, which prohibits the collection of dead specimens for taxidermy. My trade apparently contravenes the law's objective of the protection, conservation, research and educational purposes of local wildlife.

Apart from research, I wonder how dead fauna helps in the protection and conservation of the species. I hope the law will be reviewed to remove the museum's monopoly.

Ken Mar