Preserving animals beyond death
The Nairobi National Museum, which houses the National Museum of Kenya headquarters, is a bastion where history and culture come to life. The iconic institution, which is considered a cultural gem, is more than just a tourist attraction, it is a repository of the country’s collective memory, art, and natural wonders.
A walk through its grand entrance offers a glimpse beyond the veil of time, showcasing the evolution of the country. From its ancient relics to modern marvels.
At the heart of the institution lies several exhibits that have become world-renowned, such as the Hall of Kenya, which highlights the country’s tangible and intangible history, the Cycles of Life exhibit, which samples cultural practices from Kenyan communities and the Cradle of Mankind gallery, which houses a unique collection, pointing to Kenya as the cradle of mankind.
My interest was, however, piqued by the great hall of mammals, and in particular, the lifelike animal exhibits that have become so popular among tourists such as the iconic big five ensemble that seem to roar back to life.
These perfect specimens are the work of taxidermists at the historical institution seeking to preserve animals even in death. Spearheading the preservation of the animals through taxidermy is Bernard Agwanda, the chief research scientist and curator of mammals at the National Museums of Kenya.
“Getting specimens to speak for themselves was my source of inspiration to learn taxidermy. They are sacrifices from the wild. They have a story to tell the world,” says Agwanda.
The legal ethical way
Taxidermy is the art and practice of preserving, stuffing and mounting the skins of animals to create lifelike representations of the creatures for display or study.
Agwanda who received training on taxidermy from various prestigious institutions in Europe and the United States of America is at the heart of not only preserving the not-so-common art, but also championing conservation efforts amid the threat of climate change and even poaching.
Kenya was once the largest big game attraction in the world, attracting trophy hunters such as former US president Theodore Roosevelt. At one point, the defunct Zimmerman taxidermy factory situated in present-day Zimmerman neigbourhood off Thika Road was the second largest facility of its kind in the world — making hunting trophies from dead animals for display for clients that included royalty, presidents, and private collectors.
The Kenyan government, however, in 1977 implemented a ban on game hunting in a move to protect and preserve the country’s diverse wildlife and combat poaching and illegal hunting activities. Though hunting at the time was a controlled sport and required a license, reports indicated that poachers defied government directives leading to a massive dwindling of wildlife numbers such as elephants and lions in the country.
“It is important to make sure the animals are both legally and ethically acquired. We rely on naturally dead animals. We no longer hunt them to do this. The fact that wild animals in life and death belong to the government, access to animals is very restricted and so difficult to practice outside government-controlled environments,” notes Agwanda.
Specimens brought to the National Museums of Kenya are brought here by Kenya Wildlife Officials, ensuring that these animals are ethically sourced and only preserved for posterity either in museums or to aid research studies.
Work of art
The Kenya Wildlife Act of 2013 and the National Museums and Heritage Act of 2006 empower the institution to hold dead wildlife or their parts as part of a national collection. And it is here where we encounter these pristine specimens being made into national treasures.
“Taxidermy is an art and science built into one process. The science part is using the physiology and morphology of the animal to chemically fix and stabilise the skeleton and skin to last longer than the lifespan of the animal in real life. To live long after death. The art part of it is model the body to reflect reality and the theme desired such as a yawning lion, galloping gazelle, or sleeping leopard,” he shares.
At the main workshop, you will find Agwanda leading a team of technicians to craft the taxidermy specimens in an intricate art that ensures every animal being preserved is a picturesque representation of the real-life animal, bridging the gap between life and death.
Special attention is often given to details such as an animal’s eyes, nose, mouth as well as its form in order to achieve a desired shape of expression.
“The interesting thing about our work is that we integrate research findings into taxidermy and subsequent exhibitions. In other words, we decode technical scientific facts generated from our research, for the public, layperson, and experts to learn, discover, and appreciate. That is what the Heritage Act commands,” asserts Awanda.
Certain misconceptions at times surround the practice, but Agwanda says that they strive to educate wildlife enthusiasts that the taxidermy specimens represent the animals in the wild so that they may live on in displays in museums.
“Populations of most species are on a downhill, mainly due to actions and inactions of humans. Many children are also being born in urban areas away from wildlife, making it difficult to convert them to true action-oriented conservationists. If taxidermy can bring them close enough to nature, and make them ambassadors then we stand a chance of leaving the heritage in the right and committed hands of posterity,” he shares.
Taxidermy strives to celebrate the beauty of nature, but also raises awareness about the fragile balance between human development and wildlife conservation. At the mammal repository within the Nairobi National Museum, thousands of animals have been preserved and can be observed by not only Kenyans, but also global tourists.
With more than 20 years serving the country as a taxidermist and championing wildlife conservation, Agwanda, who is also a member of the international society for taxidermy, is now on the verge of leading a team to develop a world-class exhibition showcasing the conservation of the country’s apex predators such as the Lion, Leopard, Hunting dog among other exciting projects.
