SOUTH AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM SKELETON PREPARATION
FACILITY
 The
South Australian Museum has the most technologically advanced
facility for the preparation of animal bones in the Southern Hemisphere.
The facility regularly undertakes contract preparation work for
other institutions and private firms and is also available for
hire.
POTENTIAL USERS OF THE FACILITY
Organisations or individuals who may require the services provided
by the facility include: taxidermists, veterinarians, zoos, museums,
fauna parks, horse-racing, game-fishing and film industries,
government departments, providers of scientific resources, biology
departments of colleges, universities and schools.
CONTRACT SERVICES OFFERED
The South Australian Museum offers a range of services at its
skeleton preparation facility:
-
Flensing animal carcasses (mammals, reptiles, birds and
fish);
-
Macerating (soaking in water for long periods) and cleaning
skeletons;
-
Degreasing bones by boiling in TRINEU, (neutral, stabilised
trichloroethyIene) for 2 - 4 days then air drying;
-
Assembling and articulating skeletons and the resetting
of teeth is provided on request but is priced separately;
-
Scientific study of large vertebrates is carried out if
requested, including measurements, photographs. dissections
and removal of some internal organs.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The degreasing process, which is a vital step in the preparation
of skeletons, is very expensive. To keep costs down the degreaser
is operated with a full load. Special charges may apply if the
contract is urgent. The degreasing plant has an object capacity
of 1.8 x 1.2 x 1 m.
Depending on the type and amount of material to be prepared, contracts
can be completed in two to six months. Very large or difficult
specimens and special requirements may take longer.
Work at the skeleton preparation facility is carried out by the
Museum's Division of Science and is under the direction of the
Curator of Mammals.
Note: The facility is not licenced to prepare human skeletons.
ABOUT THE FACILITY
The Museum has had many yearsâ experience in the preparation of
large specimens, particularly whales, dating back to the 1880s.
It boasts the finest whale and dolphin skeletal collection in
Australia and at present is processing up to 60 marine mammals
each year.
The facility was custom designed and built for the Museum in 1983
with a new collection storage area added in 1995. Among, the many
special features at the facility are heated macerating vats, gantry
cranes, large animal dissecting equipment and a custom made degreasing
plant designed by ICI.
The facility is ideally situated just twenty kilometres north of
Adelaide, at United Waterâs sewerage treatment property at Bolivar.
CHARGES
Charges are based on the size of the object and the type and amount
of preparation requested. Units of approximately 40 kg, or 60
x 40 x 40 cm, are used to estimate size and costs.
Resetting teeth and articulating skeletons are additional charges
and should be negotiated with the Museum. The costs of transportation
are to be borne by the contractee.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact Dr Catherine Kemper
Curator of Mammals
Division of Natural Science
South Australian Museum
North Terrace Adelaide
Tel : 08 82077458 Fax : 08 82077222
Email : kemper.cath@saugov.sa.gov.au
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