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Discovering the “Animal Kingdom”

探秘“动物王国”

Nestled amidst the plane trees at the biodiversity, promoting scientific research, second floor features a hexagonal gallery,
T-junction of Jiaochang East Road and and popularizing science education, making displaying insect specimens such as Par-
Baiyun Road in Kunming City stands an it the largest specialized animal museum in thenos sylvia vialis and Trichius bowringi,
“Animal Kingdom”—the Kunming Natural Southwest China. encased in glass. The hollow glass design
History Museum of Zoology. Its origins Walking into the museum is like enter- at the bottom of the corridor makes it even
trace back to the specimen room of the ing a world full of wonder and discovery. more beautiful. “The design resembles both
Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Diverse paleontological fossils, the enor- a busy beehive and an insect’s compound
Academy of Sciences, established in early mous Lufengosaurus skeleton, exquisite eye,” Wu explained. “We hope to use archi-
1959. Through the dedicated efforts of sev- ancient fish fossils... Each fossil originates tectural language to reflect the characteris-
eral generations of the institute’s scientists, from the seabed or land from hundreds of tics of the exhibits.”
complemented by donations from zoos, millions of years ago. They not only record Today, as an important project of the
nature reserves, and other relevant organ- the forms and structures of ancient organ- Knowledge Innovation Program of the
izations, the specimen room amassed a isms but also contain valuable information Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Kun-
vast collection of over 970,000 specimens, about the interactions between organisms ming Natural History Museum of Zoology
encompassing mammals, birds, amphibians and their environment. also hosts various science popularization
and reptiles, fish, and insects. Besides fossils, the most numerous exhibitions and activities to enhance public
Among the museum’s collection are exhibits in the museum are various animal awareness of biodiversity conservation
many rare species such as golden snub- specimens, ranging from birds to insects, and stimulate interest in natural sciences.
nosed monkeys, slow lorises, giant pandas, wild animals to poultry, and subtropical to “During holidays, we organize summer
black-necked cranes, bearded vultures, cold temperate creatures, with everything camps, and regularly invite scientists from
white-tailed tragopans, sea turtles, con- imaginable on display. According to Depu- the institute to give lectures at the muse-
cave-shelled turtles, Chinese sturgeon, and ty Director Wu Libin, the museum’s design um,” Wu said. She noted that the number
golden kaiserihinds, highlighting the rich is both exquisite and engaging. Most of of participants for popular science activities
biodiversity characteristic of Southwest the exhibited specimens were collected like “Junior Reporter Training Camp on
China. Through the joint efforts of all staff and preserved by scientists from the in- Biodiversity” and “Specimen Workshop” is
members over many years, it has now be- stitute in the wild after the animals died steadily increasing, and children’s interest
come an important platform for showcasing naturally. The insect exhibition area on the in the natural world is growing stronger.