Dead animals

Dead wild animals found in Finland in good condition can be delivered to the Zoology Unit of Luomus. Animal specimens are preserved in the collections for research use. In the case of birds, check whether they have a ring on their foot. Please convey the details found in the ring to the Ringing Office.

Enclose details about the find with the specimen, as it is worthless without them:

  • Location of find: municipality, more accurate location
  • Date of find: date
  • Finder: name and address, as well as an indication of your wish for us to contact you, if applicable
  • Nature of find: e.g., found dead in a forest or cause of death, if known, such as striking a window
  • Conveyor, if other than finder

Dead animals found near residential areas should not be touched with bare hands. If you find a large number of dead birds, immediately notify your local municipal veterinarian.
Delivery of dead animals to the Natural History Museum

During the opening hours of the Natural History Museum, you can deliver dead animals to the museum’s ticket desk at Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 13, 00100 Helsinki. Deliver the specimen as soon as possible after the find or store it in a freezer.

You can also agree on the delivery of specimens with the taxidermy staff: luomus-konservaattorit@helsinki.fi/Ari Puolakoski, 02941 28801/Roni Andersson, 02941 28661/Janne Granroth, 02941 28623.

Specimens can also be sent free of charge by post: 

  • The content of the parcel must be indicated as ‘Museum specimen’.
  • You must independently purchase the packing materials.
  • Send the parcel at the beginning of the week so that it does not rot in the post over the weekend.
  • First wrap the frozen or refrigerated specimen in newspaper and then pack it.
  • Refrain from using plastic, as it accelerates decomposition.
  • However, fish, frogs and other wet specimens can be wrapped in plastic and then paper. Wrap wet protective paper around the fins of fish to prevent their breaking down when handled after freezing.
  • Remember to always wash your hands thoroughly after touching a dead animal.
    In addition, write ‘Animal  specimen’ visibly on the parcel.
     

Customer return
Agreement 127167
Invoicing code 606422
Taxidermy/Natural History Museum
PO Box 17 (Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 13)
00014 University of Helsinki
 

 

Specimens can also be sent free of charge via those Matkahuolto service stations, which have personnel (not via lockers). Use return code 9560662:

  • The content of the parcel must be indicated as ‘Museum  specimen’.
  • You must independently purchase the packing materials.
  • Send the parcel at the beginning of the week so that it does not rot in the post over the weekend.
  • First wrap the frozen or refrigerated specimen in newspaper and then pack it. Use plenty of newspaper or other absorbent material. 
  • Refrain from using plastic, as it accelerates decomposition.
  • However, fish, frogs and other wet specimens can be wrapped in plastic and then paper. Wrap wet protective paper around the fins of fish to prevent their breaking down when handled after freezing.
  • Remember to always wash your hands thoroughly after touching a dead animal.
  • In addition, write ‘Animal specimen’ visibly on the parcel.

Return code 9560662
Taxidermy/Natural History Museum
PO Box 17 (Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 13)
Customer number 09401462
00014 University of Helsinki
 
Dead ringed birds

If you find a dead bird, check whether it has a ring. If it does, report the ring information to the Ringing Centre as instructed.