In 1953, the Natural History Museum of the Republic of North Macedonia hosted staff trained in museum techniques and specimen preparation, which contributed significantly to the development of museology.

Through specimen preparation, millions of biological and geological materials are preserved today, including unique, rare, and endemic species, as well as relics and fossils.

Prepared materials include:

• Wet specimens – animals preserved in alcohol or formalin

• Dermoplastic specimens – whole mounted animals

• Herbarium specimens – dried plants and fruits

All specimens must be accompanied by a label containing the following information: taxonomic identification, locality, collector, accession number, and inventory number. Records are maintained in official registers, and fumigation is carried out twice a year to ensure preservation. In modern museums, refrigeration units set at 8 °C are used to protect specimens from insect damage.

Contemporary preparators must be skilled in techniques for permanent and temporary exhibitions, as well as modern specimen preparation methods, enabling them to present nature authentically within museum spaces.

Contact: Darko Bazerko, Preparator

E-mail: contact@musmacscinat.mk