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.
Prevention of decomposition
is paramount. Wrap the specimen in a number of plastic bags and
freeze as soon as possible..
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 D.E.F.R.A. using the
links below.
