Naturalists
and Taxidermists
Taxidermists
to the Highlands & Islands Museums
~ TAXIDERMY
~
The art of preparing and
mounting skins of animals in
a lifelike manner
Sadly the
automobile is the number one killer of wildlife in Britain. This
has led to increasing demands on UK taxidermy businesses to accommodate
this expanding market and has consequently led to the large and
varied number of modern mounted animals currently seen in UK
homes. You could say that that makes the British taxidermy industry
something of an environmentally aware recycling industry!
British law
permits UK taxidermists to prepare protected and 'non protected'
birds and mammals for you. If you find a road casualty or window
strike etc, as the finder, you are the 'legal owner' of that
item (if
legally acquired)
and as such you may have it mounted by a taxidermy firm.
If unsure
contact Northern Natural History for no obligation advice.
Prevention
of decomposition is paramount. Wrap the specimen in a number of
plastic bags
and freeze as soon as possible before contacting Northern Natural
History for delivery instructions.
Northern Natural History also offers a postal service.
The regulations
controlling the sale of protected birds, mammals and their derivatives
is governed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs. Professional taxidermy firms keep a full stock record,
which show all specimen movement details. When offering protected
animals for sale they will supply details of their current licensing
requirements. They will also submit an 'annual report' to D.E.F.R.A.
All UK taxidermy
business premises are classed as 'technical plants' and as such
are regulated by their local authority concerning waste disposal,
health and safety issues etc. They will also carry a public liability
insurance for visitors to their premises. Their stock - your
commissions - will also be insured.
If you wish
to sell an item of already mounted taxidermy contact Northern
Natural History for advice, alternatively D.E.F.R.A. using the
links below.
