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202506/17
To promote academic research and specimen resource sharing, the Chiayi Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA Chiayi) officially donated a batch of precious specimens to the National Museum of Natural Science on June 17. A simple but stately donation ceremony was held at the National Museum of Natural Science, where the two parties signed a donation contract and a memorandum of cooperation, demonstrating the synergistic effects of joint academic research and maintenance of collections.
Donation of Clouded Leopard Specimens: Exploring the Historical Literature of Alishan
Director Lee Ting-Chung of FANCA Chiayi, said that these specimens were originally displayed as part of the collection of the Alishan Museum in the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area. However, due to the impact of the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake, the collection was severely damaged. At the time, to properly preserve these valuable collections, some of the specimens were entrusted to the National Museum of Natural Science for preservation. Director Lee also mentioned that this event marked the formal donation of these specimens to the museum, which was not only significant due to their historical, scientific, and academic research value, but also because it represented the spirit of cross-institutional cooperation, adding that FANCA Chiayi looked forward to deepening the partnership with the National Museum of Natural Science through this donation, working together to explore the historical literature of Alishan. The National Museum of Natural Science also indicated that it will properly preserve and utilize these specimens to maximize their benefits, and continue to promote the sharing and application of specimen resources.
The donated specimens include one clouded leopard, 114 birds, and 12 mammals. Among them, the clouded leopard is a special specimen among the few existing clouded leopard specimens in Taiwan and has considerable academic value. In the future, the National Museum of Natural Science will carry out 3D digital scanning of the clouded leopard specimen and create digital image data of the specimens to facilitate subsequent related professional research and exchanges on specimen preservation techniques. Through the donation contract and memorandum of cooperation signed by both parties, FANCA Chiayi and the National Museum of Natural Science will carry out long-term cooperation in the areas of specimen research and utilization, as well as conservation education and promotion in the future, creating a win-win situation.