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hi,
Some years ago, I was curator of life science, overseeing a lot of old dead stuff, including an extensive and mostly wonderful collection of birds containing arsenic. As we went through assessment, I called our state environmental agency to ask about the level of arsenic/toxicity. 3 folks showed up, dressed as if they were heading to a hazardous waste site. In the end, one of them wrapped by saying "you'd pretty much have to eat all of these in one sitting to get much effect". 

We did not use them in programming, or let anyone touch them. Until recently, a few of them were still on display. Arsenic is a pretty good preservative.

Related by subject, for those of you in the NYC area: 
The Secret Science Club presents the 6th-annual "Carnivorous Nights Taxidermy Contest," Friday, December 9, 8 PM @ the Bell House, $7 

Lynn in Queens
Children's Library Discovery Center




-----Original Message-----
>From: "K. John Lor" <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Dec 6, 2011 11:10 AM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Taxidermy
>
>ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
>*****************************************************************************
>
>Good morning.
>
> 
>
>I have a question to ask all of you in relation to old taxidermy
>specimens that were made with arsenic.
>
> 
>
>We are planning on exhibiting many of our taxidermy bird specimens in
>our upcoming show. Many of these birds were preserved in arsenic and
>also smell of moth balls. We plan on showing them without a case but
>with stanchions so visitors cannot get close to the birds and many "do
>not touch" signs. As far as condition goes, they are in good condition
>and in one piece.
>
> 
>
>Should we be wise to have these birds displayed in a case as opposed to
>no case at all? We do not have enough cases for all of our birds, nor do
>we have cases big enough for some of our larger birds, such as a
>flamingo and a golden eagle with its wings stretched out. What would be
>the best possible route, and affordable, for us to take in displaying
>old taxidermy birds?
>
> 
>
>Thank you,
>
>John
>
> 
>
>K. John Lor
>
>Traveling Exhibitions Registrar
>
>Berkshire Museum
>
>39 South St (Route 7)
>Pittsfield, MA  01201
>413-443-7171 ext. 29
>
>413-443-2135 (fax)
>
>[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> 
>
> 
>
>Under the Big Top: Festival of Trees 2011 at Berkshire Museum
>
>Friday, November 18, 2011, to Monday, January 2, 2012
>
>Discover dazzling trees and circus fun for all ages!
>
>Proudly sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union
>
>For more information, please visit www.berkshiremuseum.org
><http://www.berkshiremuseum.org/> 
>
> 
>
>
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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

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