Discovering decades-old animal specimens in Yangzhou

A 76-year-old bird specimen on display at an animal museum in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province. [Photo by Yu Jie/xhby.net]

Children in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, flocked to a local animal museum on May 26, to see first-hand a collection of decades-old specimens. 

Tucked away at Yangzhou University, the museum gave its first exhibition of its most precious collection: 10 animal bodies excellently preserved since 1952. 

Alongside the fish, birds, wolves and wild boars that were presented was a 2.58-meter baiji (a freshwater dolphin), the longest of its kind, which aroused great interest among the youngsters. 

The freshwater mammal was known as the "Goddess of the Yangtze River," its only known habitat. The unique dolphin species was declared functionally extinct in 2007. 

Children also learned about a variety of rare species, including the white bear which has a sense of smell seven times sharper than a dog's, and the giant panda, an adorable bamboo enthusiast known the world over as a national symbol of China.

Bird specimens on display at an animal museum in Yangzhou. [Photo by Yu Jie/xhby.net]

A crocodile specimen on display at an animal museum in Yangzhou. [Photo by Yu Jie/xhby.net]