Dear Listers: We are in the development and planning stages of a temporary exhibit that will open in early 2003. In general, the exhibit focuses on the westward expansion of the US and will feature many artifacts related to this period in US history. The curator also wants to display a selction of life-size (stuffed) animals commonly found on the Great Plains and in the Rocky Mountains, including large mammals like grizzly bears, pronged horn antalopes, buffalo, big horn sheep, as well as, a host of smaller animals (badgers, prairie dogs, beavers, etc.). Since we are a history museum and rarely deal with natural history collections, I am wondering how to acquire these animals. For previous exhibits we have have purchased coyotes, rabbits and snakes from local taxidermists, but the number and types of animals needed for this exhibit cannot be obtained locally. Is there is an institution that is deals in loans of stuffed animals to museums? If so, what is their address and phone number? Or, do natural history museums use donated and/or purchased specimans for their exhibition? Any guidence and information related to this topic will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. Michael MacDonald Assistant Registrar Lyndon B. Johnson Library & Museum 2313 Red River St. Austuin, TX 78705 (512) 916-5137 x-283 [log in to unmask] ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).