Zoology Museum re-opens with exhibition of extinct and endangered animals

Published On Wed 4 Jun 2014 by Grant Hill

A new exhibition of lost and vanishing species will help celebrate this week’s opening of the University of Dundee’s D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum for the summer season.

The museum is hosting ‘After Life’, a show of images captured by photographer Sean Dooley, from Friday, 6th June until the end of July. The exhibition features poignant and surprising portraits of extinct and endangered animals preserved in museums and private collections, including specimens from D’Arcy Thompson’s collections.

Exploring the consequences of human action and inaction, this series of striking images includes portraits of a baby polar bear, the extinct passenger pigeon and the critically endangered ruffed lemur.

“As a boy I was entranced by nature,” explained Fife-based Sean. “Through taxidermy collections I could see animals from places that I’d likely never visit, and extinct creatures that no one would ever have the chance to see again. These objects are sometimes the last remnants of our planet’s lost and fading species, and they continue to unlock my boyhood curiosity.

“My photos portray specimens of these species that are losing, or have lost, the fight for survival. Because of their rarity the specimens are vitally important, as sources of knowledge that can help conserve species and as reminders of the beauty of these lost and fading creatures.”

The exhibition is on show at the Zoology Museum, located in the University’s Carnelley Building, from 2-4.30pm every Friday until 25th July. The Museum will be open every Friday afternoon until 5th September.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277