Please be very careful with older mounted or taxidermy animals.  It was very
common in the past to dust the inside of both bird and mammal specimens with
arsenic in order to protect the specimens from being eaten by insects.  The
problem with this is that powered arsenic can with time get out and can be a
real problem.  Arsenic can be absorbed through the skin and exposure to it
should be completely avoided.

If you are not sure that your animals were treated with arsenic, please do
not use them for any hands-on activities or where exposure is possible.
Keep them in sealed cases or tightly tied plastic bags and make sure that
anyone that comes into direct physical contact with them wears appropriate
respirators, gloves, and protective clothing.  Also, contact a larger
natural history museum that can arrange to have your animals tested for
arsenic.

Earl Lock



.
----- Original Message -----
From: Roy Hemmat <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, July 12, 2002 3:47 PM
Subject: Looking for .. Bird Replicas


> Greetings Listers,
>
> I've received a request from the Muskegon County Museum concerning sources
> for bird replicas. - I wonder if anyone on this list may have some
> suggestions? - Send responses directly to Joni Dorsett as described below,
> or to me and I will forward them to her. - Thank you so much!
>
> Roy Hemmat
> [log in to unmask]
> Discovery Media
>
> ------- Request Details ---------
>
> We are a natural history museum and supply  educational "Loan Kits" to
> teachers on a variety of topics.  We are looking  for a source for
replicas
> of songbirds and other common birds to be included in  a loan kit about
> birds.  We currently use some natural birds  specimens from our collection
> however they are beginning to show  wear. - We are looking for something
> durable and
> realistic.  They will be used by teachers and school children away from
our
> supervision.
>
> Joni Dorsett Communications Director
> Muskegon County Museum
> 430 W. Clay Ave. Muskegon MI
> 49440 231-722-0278
> [log in to unmask]
>
> ------- Request Details ---------
>
> =========================================================
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