Current:Home > ScamsNatural history museum closes because of chemicals in taxidermy collection-LoTradeCoin
Natural history museum closes because of chemicals in taxidermy collection
View Date:2024-12-23 21:24:10
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota museum has closed after almost 40 years over concerns that the chemicals in its taxidermy collection could endanger visitors and staff, the affiliated zoo announced Thursday.
The Great Plains Zoo said Thursday that it is has closed the Delbridge Museum of Natural History in Sioux Falls. The zoo’s CEO Becky Dewitz said strong chemicals were used in the taxidermy process and that tests found detectable levels of those chemicals in the museum, KELO-TV reported. It wasn’t an easy decision to close the museum but it’s the right one, she said.
“The specimens were harvested in the 1940s through the 1970s. Prior to the 1980s, it was common to use strong chemicals in the taxidermy process all over the world for preservation of the hides,” the zoo said in a statement on its website.
The museum’s collection of animals on display was one of the largest in the region. Sioux Falls businessman Henry Brockhouse assembled the collection that includes animals from six continents over several decades. Photos of the collection show an elephant, giraffe, rhinoceros, zebras and other animals.
Sioux Falls attorney C.J. Delbridge bought the collection in 1981 and donated it to the city to establish the Delbridge Musuem of Natural History in 1984.
“As the specimens continue to age, there is more potential for chemical exposure,” it added. “Out of an abundance of caution,” the city and zoo decided to decommission the collection. Dewitz said this process will take a long time because a number of the animals are now endangered and protected under federal law.
The zoo and city will work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to safely dispose of the taxidermy mounts, a process that is expected to take several months.
veryGood! (75792)
Related
- New 'Yellowstone' is here: Season 5 Part 2 premiere date, time, where to watch
- Grab Some Razzles and See Where the Cast of 13 Going on 30 Is Now
- Terique Owens, Terrell Owens' son, signs with 49ers after NFL draft
- The 43 Most Popular Amazon Items E! Readers Bought This Month: Trending Fashion, Beauty & More
- Rita Ora Says Liam Payne “Left Such a Mark on This World” in Emotional Tribute
- 2024 American Music Awards to air on CBS
- Match Group CEO Bernard Kim on romance scams: Things happen in life
- Banana Republic Factory’s Spring Sale Is Here With up to 70% off Colorful Spring Staples & More
- Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had a stroke earlier this month, is expected to make full recovery
- Indiana voters to pick party candidates in competitive, multimillion dollar primaries
Ranking
- AIT Community Introduce
- Up To 70% Off at Free People? Yes Please! Shop Their Must-Have Styles For Less Now
- Crews plan to extinguish fire Saturday night from train derailment near Arizona-New Mexico line
- Now that's cool: Buy a new book, get a used one for free at Ferguson Books in North Dakota
- What is ‘Doge’? Explaining the meme and cryptocurrency after Elon Musk's appointment to D.O.G.E.
- Another McCaffrey makes the NFL: Washington Commanders select WR Luke McCaffrey
- The Ultimate Guide on How to Read Tarot Cards and Understand Their Meanings
- The 43 Most Popular Amazon Items E! Readers Bought This Month: Trending Fashion, Beauty & More
Recommendation
-
KFC sues Church's Chicken over 'original recipe' fried chicken branding
-
Why is this small town in Pennsylvania considered the best place to retire?
-
Messi in starting lineup for Inter Miami vs. New England game tonight in Gillette Stadium
-
College protesters seek amnesty to keep arrests and suspensions from trailing them
-
The Latin Grammys are almost here for a 25th anniversary celebration
-
Former NFL lineman Korey Cunningham found dead in New Jersey at age 28
-
In Beijing, Blinken and Xi stress need for continued U.S.-China dialogue to avoid any miscommunications
-
Harvey Weinstein Hospitalized After 2020 Rape Conviction Overturned