Tropical bird theft at UK Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum at Tring in Hertfordshire, UK, has been targeted by thieves who have stolen a number of bird ‘skins’. The ornithological collections of the Natural History Museum are among the largest and most comprehensive in the world, and have been painstakingly assembled over the last 350 years. About 70 million specimens are looked after by the Museum and are a resource of international importance in the development of scientific knowledge.

The bird ‘skins’ were stolen on Wednesday 24 June 2009. The specimens stolen comprise a number of brightly-coloured tropical birds, like cotingas and paradise-birds, some of which are uncommon in collections and, therefore, of especial scientific concern. The Museum is working with the police and the Wildlife Crime Unit on the matter.

Anyone with any information on this crime should ring DI Wylie via the non-emergency number +448453300222, citing crime reference number D3/09/450. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers (an independent charity) anonymously on +44800555111.

Read the full news at the Natural History Museum website: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/about-us/news/2009/august/tropical-bird-theft-at-natural-history-museum.html

Read the full Museum targeted in tropical bird theft press release: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2009/natural-history-museum-targeted-in-tropical-bird-theft.html