taxidermy – BIG

In May of 2021, a gruesome scene struck North Shuswap, B.C. Passersby stumbled upon dozens of skinned and severed bear paws scattered across Forest Road 695 in the Little Shuswap Lake Band territory, a local Indigenous Nation.

Initially, B.C.’s Conservation Officer Service suspected poaching, but after a year-long investigation, the service has finally uncovered who was responsible for the discarded animal parts: a taxidermist.

The bear paws fell out of the back of a taxidermist’s truck while driving along Forest Road 695 last spring. In a statement released at the time of the incident, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) estimated that there were between 80 to 100 bear paws scattered along the road.

Conservation officers confirmed that the taxidermist was in legal possession of the bear paws and that the wildlife parts have no connection with poaching or any black market trafficking.

5 misconceptions about bears

The taxidermist is cooperating with authorities, the Conservation Officer Service said in a statement. Typically, the incorrect disposal of wildlife parts would land the taxidermist a $115 littering fine under the Environmental Management Act. But in lieu of the fine, the taxidermist has offered a substantial donation to the Little Shuswap Lake Band’s Watershed Stewardship Guardian Program. The program is designed to train community members in bear awareness, public safety, and attractant management.

“The [Conservation Officer Service] and the [Little Shuswap Lake Band] are pleased this donation will have a more meaningful impact to the community and wildlife,” the Conservation Officer Service said.

The service did not release the size of the donation, but did say that it far exceeded the amount of the littering fine.

Any wildlife carcasses or parts, regardless of whether they’re the result of hunting, taxidermy, or other activities, must be disposed of in a lawful and ethical manner, the service stressed. Kamloops, the closest major city to where the incident took place, states that small wildlife can be double bagged and placed in a garbage bin, while larger wildlife needs to be brought to landfill sites.

“This is to avoid alarming passersby, as well as attracting dangerous wildlife to an area frequented by people, which can create a public safety risk,” the service said.

Individuals who witness wildlife carcasses or parts being disposed of improperly in B.C. can report the violation to the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline at 1-877-952-7277. If the incident occurs outside of B.C., look up the local Ministry of Natural Resources or conservation authority. Every province in Canada has a hotline for reporting poaching.

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Saying goodbye to a furry best friend has become more difficult than ever for most pet owners, especially in this hi-tech world, where daily walks with our pets help keep us grounded in our community and provide us with unlimited tail-wagging unconditional love.

Rover or Kitty was an active part of the family for one or two decades, popping up hilariously in many family photos. Flipping through the photo album, those great memories are enough to bring a tear to your eye.

Losing your first pet
Losing your first pet as an adult is the hardest. As a child, we’re not as conscious of the aging process in the people and pets around us. Essentially, our pets and parents are there for our childhood – barring any accidents or illnesses – throughout our formative years. It’s not until you’re older and initially think, as in childhood, your pet will live forever.

Unfortunately, you come to the rude awakening that your pet dog will only live 10 to 15 years on average, and a pet cat might live up to age 20. You will most likely have two or three pets over the course of your lifetime and have to say a painful goodbye to each one. What if you could get them back in statue form?

A lifelike fur statue
For an increasing number of pet lovers who have trouble letting go, there is a trend toward freeze-drying the beloved family pet and displaying it in the home.

According to Anthony Eddy’s Wildlife Studio, “Freeze-drying is revolutionary technology that has become an economically feasible alternative for preserving pets. This highly specialized field of taxidermy makes use of large freeze-dry machines that remove the moisture from the specimen while it remains frozen….

“Unlike regular taxidermy, this process allows a pet’s natural body and bone structure to remain intact. The result is the individual characteristics, body, and facial features are barely disturbed.” Techniques like silicone injections, wire rods to hold a pose, special cosmetic grooming, and glass eyes create such lifelike specimens, as evidenced by the photos, you would think they were just taking a nap.

The costs vary depending on the animal’s weight, up to $4,000 according the Daily Mail. Anthony Eddy, 63, owner of the U.S. pet preservation service, said, “It is a very emotional thing for pet owners, they don’t want to bury or cremate their beloved animal, and they want them to still be around.”

Loving tribute or creepy reminder?
Eddy mentioned that the majority of his customers are older and have had their pets for a long time. “I do accept that some people will find it weird, but it is growing in acceptance and what we do is a fine art.”

While many pet owners are comforted with a stuffed version of their pet, many of us would rather not face a daily reminder of our loss, preferring to allow time to heal our pain and perhaps eventually bringing a new pet into our lives. What do you think: would you want a stuffed version of your pet in your home?

Credit photo: posterize / FreeDigitalPhotos.net