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Bear's Hair Used to Combat Wildlife Crime
Developing
In Short: A student is using the preserved hair of a 120-year-old museum bear to develop new methods for solving wildlife crime.
A student at the University of Staffordshire is using the hair of a 120-year-old museum bear, Boris, to help solve wildlife crime, according to reports from the BBC. Hayden Leigh, a forensic science graduate, is analyzing the bear's fur to improve the identification of animal hairs during investigations.
Leigh uses a microscope to examine the cuticles and different layers of the bear's fur, as well as its DNA. He had previously approached about 30 zoos and museums for help with the project before the Museum of Chelmsford agreed to lend a hand.
Councillor Jennie Lardge, cabinet member for culture and leisure at Chelmsford City Council, acknowledged that taxidermy is often considered a controversial part of museum collections, but said it was 'wonderful' that Boris' legacy would be to help protect other animals from illegal hunting. The taxidermy bear, known as Boris, is a popular feature at the Museum of Chelmsford and is regarded as its unofficial mascot.
By developing more cost-effective and reliable alternatives to DNA analysis, the aim is to help tackle the illegal poaching and trafficking of wildlife, according to Leigh.
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- "There's been hundreds of studies done on dog hairs and cat hairs and general domestic animals, and I thought, well, let's make a wider impact than on the wider wildlife crime investigations," he said.
- Having access to a preserved specimen had also meant an opportunity to examine authentic animal hair in a controlled and ethical way, he said, without needing to disturb a live animal.
- "It highlights the scientific value of historic taxidermy collections in museums in 2026, and we are delighted that the Museum of Chelmsford has been able to support this important project," she said.
- Boris arrived at the museum in 1932 amongst a large collection of taxidermy bequeathed by a local game hunter.
Sources
- BBClink