taxidermist
Taxidermist (from Latin preparation 'praeparatio' ) is a professional title in biology , medicine or geosciences . The job title “taxidermist” is not legally protected in Germany. In order to offer the young professionals in Germany a state-recognized training, a training center was set up in Bochum , where they receive the qualification "State-recognized preparation technician" after three years. There is also the Senckenberg School in Frankfurt am Main for the fields of biology and geosciences. In Austria there is a vocational school for taxidermists in Vienna. The training runs for three years in the training company with a two-month school education and ends with the journeyman's examination. The profession is characterized by the combination of theoretical knowledge and technical and artistic skills.
Unlike the work of the restorer , the preparation requires specific basic scientific knowledge from the respective field of activity. The profession has been taught with state qualifications since 1977.
In biology
The biological taxidermist usually works at natural history museums and zoological institutes, where he prepares organisms according to their natural appearance ( taxidermy ) or conserves collections. In addition, the taxidermist is usually also involved in looking after the collections and in setting up and renovating exhibitions. The taxidermist is also responsible for herbal preparations for herbariums and the design of biotopes for dioramas . For preservation techniques, the taxidermist needs appropriate knowledge in chemistry and plastics technology, for the production of preparations also manual and creative skills.
The biological taxidermist can also operate privately, mostly for hunters to produce trophies . The preparation of some wild animal species for private purposes is regulated by law in Germany and appropriate permits must be obtained.
In the medicine
The medical taxidermist finds his job in anatomy , pathology and forensic medicine , where he is also responsible for caring for corpses . In anatomy, the area of responsibility includes the conservation of corpses, the preparation of anatomical specimens for demonstration and research purposes (including plastination ) and the supervision of the dissection course . In pathology and forensic medicine, the taxidermist assists the doctors with the autopsy , where he is also responsible for restoring the corpse. Here, too, permanent specimens are made for scientific studies, teaching purposes and documentation. For these activities, the preparator needs both anatomical knowledge and extensive knowledge of conservation techniques and design skills.
In the geosciences
Geoscientific taxidermists work at geological and paleontological institutes and in natural history museums , but also work in the private sector. Their tasks include, above all, the partial or complete mechanical exposure and, if necessary, the conservation of fossils , often also the production of casts of these fossil preparations as well as of minerals and rocks. In scientific institutions this is one of the activities that serve the preparation and processing of material that was collected during field work for scientific processing. Casts are not only made to be able to make copies, but also, for example, so that electron microscopic examinations can be carried out on certain parts of a fossil (for example the teeth of a vertebrate) without the fossil having to be destroyed. The tasks of a geoscientific taxidermist can also include the production of thin and polished sections of rock and mineral samples and fossils, as well as the chemical processing of (fossil-containing) sediment samples . As employees of paleontological institutions, taxidermists often take part directly in excavations . In the museum area you can - in cooperation with the teaching and research staff - be involved in the production of individual reconstructions and entire dioramas as well as in the construction and renovation of exhibitions.
Web links
- Homepage of the Association of German Taxidermists
- Association of Taxidermists Switzerland
- Professional information on taxidermy training in Bochum
- Vocational taxidermist , geo.de
- Geoscientific taxidermist, training position at the institute in Münster - video contribution
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d Professional profile , Association of German Taxidermists
- ↑ Technical assistant for natural history museums & research institutes, training position at the Senckenberg Museum in Frankfurt am Main
- ^ Training / , Association of German Taxidermists