Specialist Information

• Facts
• Museum Collections
• ARBRI
• BARB

Athabasca University Museum Collections

Athabasca University has started a number of collections of preserved organisms – primarily related to the Athabasca River Basin.  Most of the collections have been catalogued and the data entered into computer files which you can view. If you wish to physically access or contribute to these collections, please contact the Faculty of Science and Technology. Also note that one must obtain permits to keep most bird specimens even if they are found dead on your property.

Bird Collections

The collection consists of 229 specimens - primarily of museum mounts rather than taxidermy mounts. There are 25 families and 71 species represented. Most specimens were killed when they flew into windows and were added to the collection by people living in the Athabasca area. The data are recorded in a Microsoft Excel file.

Insect Collections

This consists of about 15 museum drawers of pinned specimens. Localities are mostly from Alberta and Saskatchewan but a few are exotic. The collection is not catalogued. Most specimens are identified to only family level but some are identified to species.

Mammal Study Skin Collections

This is a very small collection consisting of only 22 items. Eight families and 17 species are represented.  Nearly all specimens come from the Athabasca area. The data are recorded in a Microsoft Excel file.

Plant Collections

This is now called the T.S. Bakshi Herbarium. Many of the plants have been scanned so that you can view them via the Internet. The data are recorded in a Microsoft Excel file.

Skull & Skeleton Collections

This collection presently consists of 92 specimens in 19 families and 37 species. Most are just skulls but many are full or partial skeletons. Nearly all specimens are from the Athabasca area and most were obtained from trappers. The data are recorded in a Microsoft Excel file.

Science Outreach Athabasca - September 27, 2012