The Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections, founded in 1985, is an international organization devoted to the preservation, conservation and management of natural history collections. In light of the recent decision by the Delbridge Natural History Museum in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to close its doors based on detectable levels of chemicals originating from its taxidermy collection, we would like to assure the public that there are known protocols and procedures that reduce risks inherent in natural history collections. In general, when at a museum, all visitors should abide by posted rules (such as no touching the exhibits) and should feel free to enjoy the specimens on display.
Natural history collections contain risks, both unique to this collection type and common to other types of collections, that institutions across the world manage on a daily basis. The Society was established, in part, to provide a space for natural history museum professionals to share research and experiences, address concerns, and collectively improve preservation practices. We have dedicated our careers to safeguarding natural history collections while also prioritizing health and safety.
The decision to disassemble exhibitions, dispose of historic and scientifically valuable taxidermy mounts, and move mounts of endangered species from public display to closed storage rooms should not be based on the composition of the objects. We encourage anyone who is concerned about their collections to reach out to us for advice on the best practices for caring and preservation of important pieces of our natural world.
https://spnhc.org/resources/nhcoll-l/
http://spnhc.biowikifarm.net/wiki/Main_Page
https://spnhc.org/contact-us/