Preserving 47 years of nature: The glass-enclosed forest of Ctg’s wildlife museum

A tiger cub lies motionless inside a transparent glass jar, its eyes closed as if in sleep. The cub died in 1999 at Chattogram Zoo, just three days after birth, and has remained preserved for more than 26 years.

A short distance from Sholashahar Railway Station in Chattogram, within the green and hilly premises of the Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI), the wildlife museum offers a quiet contrast to the living forest outside.

Located on the third floor of the institute's ageing administrative building, the museum occupies a 20-by-15 cubit room that feels separate from the surrounding landscape.

Inside, rows of glass jars and cabinets line the shelves. Near the tiger cub, a spotted deer fawn rests in another jar, while a monocled cobra stands frozen with its hood raised.

Preserved animals sit side by side in silence, forming what appears to be a lifeless zoo or a fragment of forest enclosed in glass.

The stillness of the exhibits stands in sharp contrast to the vibrant natural environment beyond the building.

The museum was established in 1978, when BFRI officials recognised that many wild animals in Bangladesh were becoming rare or endangered.

They believed that preserving specimens would allow future generations to see and study species that might otherwise disappear entirely.

Senior Research Officer of the BFRI Wildlife Section Md Anisur Rahman said the museum was created to document the country's natural heritage.

"It was founded with the aim of preserving real evidence of nature's invaluable assets for future generations," he said, adding that the collection continues to grow more than four decades later.

The museum currently houses 120 specimens from 74 species. These include crocodile hatchlings, peachicks, mynas, parakeets, purple swamphens, banded kraits, porcupines, and various frogs, turtles, snakes and birds.

The collection also features nests and eggs of species such as the baya weaver, bulbul, flowerpecker and rufous treepie.

Several specimens reflect the environmental pressures facing wildlife in Bangladesh.

The purple swamphen, collected in 2017, is not globally endangered but is considered at risk in the country due to the loss of wetlands. Monitor lizards, collected in 1992, have also declined significantly.

Other species preserved in the museum that are now rare or close to extinction in Bangladesh include the tokay gecko (1993), porcupine (2012), flowerpecker (1990) and a two-headed snake collected in 1997.

Most specimens are preserved in formaldehyde solution inside glass jars. The solution is replaced annually to ensure long-term preservation. 

A smaller number of animals, including the hill myna, barn owl, common duck, parrots, purple swamphen and monocled cobra, have been preserved using taxidermy.

BFRI Field Investigator Sheikh Mohammad Mainuddin said preservation is carried out either with or without liquid.

"In liquid preservation, a 10–20% formaldehyde solution is used. In taxidermy, internal organs are removed, a structure is formed using wire, and preservatives are applied to maintain the specimen," he said.

Beyond preservation, the museum also serves educational and research purposes.

BFRI Publicity Officer Eyakub Ali said the museum is open to visitors with prior permission and attracts students, researchers and families. He noted that children and teenagers make up a large portion of visitors.

One visitor said the museum plays an important role in raising awareness among young people.

"Students can see animals they usually only read about, which creates interest in nature and wildlife conservation," the visitor said.

As urbanisation and the loss of wetlands and forests continue across Bangladesh, concerns remain about the future of many species.

Md Anisur Rahman said expanding the museum could help preserve more specimens and improve public understanding of biodiversity.

He added that improved facilities would allow future generations to learn more about the country's wildlife and environmental challenges.