The Public Gallery

[Free Admission]

Introduction

While the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research has been actively contributing to the study of Southeast Asian biodiversity for more than 100 years, there has been little means of sharing this knowledge with the general public. With the official launch of the Public Gallery by Rear-Admiral Teo Chee Hean, the Minister for Education, on 15th June 2001, the museum was able to welcome members of the public.

A small part of the museum's 500,000 specimens are on display, with the intent of providing an introduction to Southeast Asian biodiversity and raising the awareness of conservation issues.

Things to note

Please refrain from touching exhibits:

Almost everything in the gallery are coated with poisonous preservatives - arsenic, mercury, methanol or formalin. These chemicals are added in order to stop the degradation or decomposition of the specimens by enzymes, bacteria, insects, and other organisms. This allows longer preservation of the specimens.

The exhibits on display could date back 50 years or more. They may be fragile hence any prodding could cause damage. The collection being part of Southeast Asia natural heritage should be treated with care and respect.

Please refrain from flash photography:

The exposure to light promotes oxidation, and oxidation causes discolouration in the specimens. In order to be used as an accurate reference, specimens are to be preserved in their original state as much as possible. Discolouration is often an issue. Therefore, the specimens on display are lited using dim lights.

Exhibits

1. Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research

Curious as to why the Museum is named so, and what does it do? Wondering what is Biodiversity, and why the need to study it? This section gives you an insight of the what Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research is all about.

2. The Biodiversity of Singapore

Little known, Singapore has an incredibly rich biodiversity of fauna and flora. The number of plants alone exceeds that in all of North America. All living things are categorised into five kingdoms, and this section will show you what Singapore has got to offer.

3. Tropical Habitats

Boasting a collection of rich and unique fauna and flora, Southeast Asia has many habitats, ranging from deep sea trenches to mountains. This section is divided into three main tropical habitats, along with other smaller habitats.

4. Surprising Singapore

Despite Singapore being a small island and highly urbanised, she plays host to many spectacular animals, including dugongs, turtles, pangolins and more. Even tigers once roamed her land, and this section showcases these amazing animals.

5. Conservation Issues/Animals of Southeast Asia

Our rich biodiversity of fauna and flora is constantly in struggle for survival, very much due to the acts of humans. Pollution, habitat destruction, over-exploitation and wildlife trade and collection are some examples. If we do not stop this trend, perhaps a 7th mass extinction could be underway and we are the cause of it. This section highlights the importance of conservation.

Ranging from the Frigate Bird of Christmas Island to the Babirusa of Sulawesi to the Proboscis Monkeys of Borneo, this small section displays some of the animals found in Southeast Asia.

6. Things people eat

Feel like having some delicacies? Traditional Chinese Medicine? Health boosters? This section shows various types of food that we consume, which comes from interesting sources .

7. Raffles the Naturalist

Other than being the founder of Modern Singapore, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles is also known as an avid naturalist. This section reveals some of his work in the early days, when he described the fauna and flora of Southeast Asia during his stint in the region.

8. Fauna of China

China is a vast country which covers several climatic zones, and is endowed with many habitat types. She has more than 530 species of mammals, of which over 100 are endemic to the country; and over 1,300 species of birds. This exhibit showcases a tiny selection of preserved specimens from the Raffles Museum’s small collection of Chinese animals.

9. Singapore’s Natural Heritage - Bats

Bats are often misunderstood creatures, no thanks to the media and Count Blood himself. They are in fact beneficial to humans in several ways. For example, they prey on insects which could be pest; they help to pollinate fruit trees like durians; and even help to disperse seeds. This small exhibit showcases some of Singapore's very own creatures of the night, big and small!

More information for visitors to the Public Gallery can be found here