The Victorian fad for stuffed animals is being given a new life… thanks to the tastemakers of Instagram.
Taxidermy – the art of stuffing and mounting the skins of dead animals – originated in the 1600s.
But its popularity soared in the 1800s, with Queen Victoria herself amassing a large collection.
And while historically it was mainly practised by men, social media has caused it to soar in popularity among women – many, bizarrely, being vegan.
Here GERALDINE McKELVIE meets the new band of taxidermists who are making a living from stuffing all creatures great and small – and proudly showing off their creations to thousands of online followers.
Mum thought it was weird
Sarah Burhouse had set out to be an ecologist – but discovered a passion for taxidermy while studying for a zoology degree.
She now works at Nottingham Natural History Museum, helping to restore its collection as well as working on new pieces.
Recent works have included a king penguin donated last year.
Sarah, 32, also teaches other aspiring taxidermists.
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She says: “When I started eight years ago, my mum thought I was going through a weird phase and was a bit grossed out by it.
“Now, she and other people in her community collect dead things for me. If anything flies into their window, they’ll keep it in their freezer.
“Most people who attend the classes are in their 20s and 30s. It’s like the old boys who did taxidermy back in the day wanted to keep everything to themselves and didn’t want to share their knowledge.
“But the younger generation of taxidermists are keen to improve the standards and share with each other what we’ve learned.
“That’s one reason we have a lot of followers on Instagram – although others might just follow us out of macabre curiosity.
“The other day, someone posted on a local community Facebook group that they had a dead sparrowhawk and asked if there were any taxidermists who would like it.
"I said I’d have it.
“I did get some sad and angry reactions from people who don’t really understand what taxidermy is – or don’t realise that it can be an ethical practice.”
I have to be sure birds died naturally
Elle Kaye specialises in birds – but only works on animals who have died of natural causes.
She became interested in the practice when studying for an art degree and now runs her own business.
Selling her creations to art collectors, interior designers and museums, she has racked up 10,000 Instagram followers.
Elle, 29, says: “I didn’t really know much about taxidermy growing up and my parents weren’t big animal lovers. It was suggested to me at university and seemed the perfect marriage of art and science.
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“Mammals are quite large and I wasn’t as interested in working on them – I wanted to work on more delicate things.
“I love the tiny birds, like beautiful, brightly coloured finches. It’s amazing how something so small and delicate can be brought back to life.
“It’s such fragile work, but they’re so pretty. I love kingfishers as well, they are beautiful. I get birds from breeders, zoos and people who have aviaries at home.”
Elle, of Hertford, explains: “It’s popular on Instagram as it’s such a visual medium.
“I get the odd donation by the public – say a bird that’s flown into a window – but I have to be able to tell it died naturally.
“I have none of my work at home as it’s very much my business. I’d never make any money if I kept anything.”
I learned it all by watching YouTube
Hannah Debnam became fascinated with taxidermy as a child, on a visit to London’s Natural History Museum.
Then seven years ago she picked up some roadkill – and taught herself taxidermy by reading online guides and watching YouTube videos. It is now her full-time job.
Hannah says: “Growing up, I hated seeing roadkill. If a bird had fallen out of a tree, I’d always be there trying to help.
“Taxidermy was always in the back of my mind but I never thought I could do it as I relate to animals more than humans.
“The idea of cutting into an animal was something I didn’t think I could do.
“Then I saw a dead wood pigeon and I thought, ‘I’m just going to try’.”
The 30-year-old from Felixstowe, Suffolk, admits: “There followed a couple of years of producing really diabolical stuff that I’d picked up as roadkill.
“But I kept researching online, watching YouTube videos and reading forums on how to do different techniques. It was only when my work was at a level I’d be happy to receive myself that I felt I could do it as a job.”
Hannah adds: “I’d like to specialise in reptiles as I have three bearded dragons as pets and I just love them.
“I gave my husband a cased grey heron as a wedding present. It’s one of my favourite pieces I’ve done.”
