There is some very artistic work underway at the Wilbur May Museum in Reno. More than 200 animal trophies there from African and Asian safaris in the 1930's are undergoing restoration.Â
"It's a true honor to be working on a collection like this," said Fritz Richards. He's the owner of Old Wolf Taxidermy and today he was focusing on a grey rhino.Â
"With these old taxidermy projects, the skins were tanned and stretched over time they being to crack. So we're using new products and technology to fill the cracks and restore the original textures and colors. It refreshes them but it also makes them more durable for the future."
He says the rhino and a giraffe were the hardest to work on. But moments later he was on a ladder airbrushing some of the spots on the giraffe.
"We do a little of this and then a little of that while this one dries," he says."The colors in the fur on the hoofed animals fades. All of the fur will eventually fade under the lights and so they need to be treated and cleaned and freshened up."
"It's a bit scary to watch," says assistant curator Samantha Szesciorka. "He keeps telling me I'm mother-henning him because I am so concerned. I am really attached to these animals and it was time to restore them. But I'm so afraid something could go wrong. But I have to admit that the transformation, like on that giraffe, are amazing!"
The project is expected to take about nine months to complete. And the museum is open. You can see the project progress.Â
For more information on the museum, go to https://www.washoecounty.us/parks/maycenterhome/index.php
