The Alpena National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (NFWCO) is building an animal skull and hide collection of North American mammals to use as an outreach tool to connect children with nature. The skulls are being donated by a local taxidermy and trapping supplier, and hides are being purchased. Currently the Alpena NFWCO has 34 skulls from 10 different animals, and six hides from four different animals. All the skulls must be cleaned of flesh and clear coated for protection.  Fisheries Biologists Adam Kowalski and Scott Koproski have observed the process of preparing and cleaning animal skulls and will be the leads for ensuring the collection’s completion.

The skulls must be boiled and all fur and flesh removed.  Next the skulls go into a degreasing solution before being bleached and varnished. The process takes about two weeks to complete.  When completed, this collection will be used in the Alpena NFWCO’s outreach efforts in the Alpena school system.