Albany Museum - Grahamstown, South Africa

Higher and Lower Vertebrates

The Museum houses a comprehensive collection of southern African birds dating back to the 1880's. The study skin collection comprises c.3845 skins representing 619 different species with raptors well represented. In addition there is a growing number of wet specimens, skeletons, nests and a good audio and visual (photographic slide) collection. A small collection of exotic birds, mainly in the form of mounts, is also maintained and is used for display, education and comparitive purposes. Acceditation standards, in respect of the curation and documentation of the collection is of a particularly high standard and is used as a model for other collections in the Museum.

The main study skin collection is important as it represents a long- term geographical distribution and diversity database of the avifauna of the eastern Cape. It is regularly used for a variety of purposes including research, display, education and ecological studies. In addition fine artists make use of the collection when doing bird illustrations to obtain the detail of form, colour and texture of the bird being illustrated.

Staff:
Curator: Dr Billy de Klerk
B.Deklerk@ru.ac.za

Hon. Curators:
Prof Pat Hulley (Rhodes University Zoology Department)
P.Hulley@ru.ac.za

Prof Adrian Craig (Rhodes University Zoology Department)
A.Craig@ru.ac.za

In August 1993 the entire mammal collection of the Albany Museum was transferred to the Kaffrarian Museum in King William's Town. All queries relating to this material should be directed to:

The Director: Mr Fred Kigozi - fred.k@museum.za.net
Amathole Museum
P.O. Box 1434
5600, KING WILLIAM'S TOWN, South Africa
Tel: (043) 642 4506 / Fax: (043) 642 1569
Int.Tel: +27 43 642 4506 / Fax: +27 43 642 1569

Reptiles and Amphibians

During 1993 the entire reptile and amphibian collections of the Albany Museum were transferred to the Port Elizabeth Museum. All queries relating to this material should be directed to:

The Curator: Dr Bill Branch - pemwrb@zoo.upe.ac.za
Port Elizabeth Museum at Bayworld
P.O. Box 13147, Humewood
6000, PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa
Tel: (041) 56-1051 / Fax: (041) 56-2175
Int.Tel: +27 41 56-1051 / Fax: +27 41 56-2175

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