Last chance to see the Raffles Museum Public Gallery!

March is the last chance to visit the Public Gallery at the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research! The Gallery will be closed on 1 Apr in preparation for the move to the new museum in 2014.

Rick Leong enthralls kids at the 2011 Open House.

So if you haven't visited the Gallery yet, or would like to get a last look, drop by before 1 April! A great family outing for the March school holidays too!


The Gallery showcases Singapore's amazing biodiversity

Tan Sijie guides during a tour in 2008 for nature volunteers.

There are all kinds of specimens small and large.

One of my favourites, the Leathery sea turtle that was found in Siglap in 1883.

There are also awesome specimens and replicas of stunning marine creatures.
Kids have lots of fun exploring and learning about wildlife!

Taking a closer look during the 2010 Open House

UPDATE: 18 to 22 Mar: "The Last Hurrah!" tours of the RMBR Veteran guides of the museum are conducting a final series of tours during the March school holidays on 18 to 22 March 2013 at 12noon-2pm and 7-9pm. Register online at http://tinyurl.com/rmbr-lh. Each session is limited to just 15 persons as the space to move around the museum is small.

Here's more about what you can see at the gallery.

Opening hours: 9am-5pm, Mon to Fri, closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.
Location: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, link to campus map.
Contact: 65-6516-5082

Guided and group tours of the Public Gallery is available, pre-registration required. More details on the RMBR website.

Although it is sad to see the beloved Public Gallery close, we can look forward to a much bigger and better gallery in the new museum, with gianormous dinosaurs and more! Here's more about the new natural history museum at the ground breaking ceremony.


Your help needed for the new museum!

While physically, the new natural history museum is taking shape, there is still much work get the 'software' into place. Prof Peter and Prof Leo will continue working hard to raise $10 million in endowment for professorships, fellowships and staff costs. The current museum is now operating with just two researchers and four curators. It will need to boost the team as the collection grows and the museum moves to its much larger, more public premises. It is looking at hiring at least half a dozen more of such staff, who will also take charge of teaching students.

You can donate to the museum online.

More ways to help!

Besides raising funds to pay for manpower, the museum is looking for donations in kind: collections of specimens such as the Fleming collection.

Ordinary people can also help get invaluable specimens by alerting the museum on roadkill.

Marcus Chua explains why this is useful on his post about the pangolin roadkill found recently. He explained earlier how a facebook post of a banded leaf monkey contributed to serious research on the monkey and current efforts to protect it. Also how roadkills were the only verifiable evidence of the presence of leopard cats in Singapore. Marcus is now seriously studying them.

Get updates on the new museum via the RMBR news blog and Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum facebook page.

Related links

• MORE about the new museum including:
• What's so special about our natural history collection?
• Why is this collection NOT displayed at the National Museum?
• Would people want to visit the new museum?
• Is a natural history museum important to conservation?

• Last Open House at the Raffles Museum
• How I was smitten by dinosaurs
• Dinosaurs in Singapore!
• A sneek peek at Singapore's new natural history museum
• Coming soon: Singapore's new natural history museum