Giant deer from the Museum Koenig Bonn exhibited in the Gasometer Oberhausen

Getting there was anything but routine. Although the museum regularly lends out exhibits for research and exhibitions, the giant deer, which is around 11,500 years old, posed a particular challenge. With antlers more than three metres wide and weighing around 40 kilograms, the skeleton would not fit through any outside door. It is also a historical specimen that was mounted in 1934 - without any documentation available today. The team led by exhibition director Dr Thomas Gerken therefore first had to understand how the skeleton was constructed in order to be able to dismantle it properly.

The separation into two large units - body and head with antlers several metres wide - aroused great interest in the media and was ultimately successful live in front of the WDR cameras. Customised transport crates were made for the two large individual parts, body and head with antlers, which enabled the delicate bones to be shipped safely to Oberhausen.

The giant deer was accompanied by other exhibits that were loaned to Oberhausen for the duration of the "Myth of the Forest" exhibition - including a sloth, a Papua dragon, reptiles in alcohol preparations, fire salamanders, two Amazon crocodiles, around 15 birds of paradise and two toucans. Most of these animals come from the archives of the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, which preserves around 16 million specimens at its sites in Bonn and Hamburg. These extensive collections document the development of biodiversity over long periods of time and form a central basis for scientifically analysing and visualising changes in ecosystems and biodiversity.

In order to prepare the exhibits for the exhibition, all the specimens were carefully examined and prepared. Bones were stabilised where they had become brittle, the fur of the mammals was cleaned, the plumage of the birds was arranged and smoothed - and even the eyes were given a new shine. The animals are now impressive ambassadors of the fascinating forest ecosystem, which can be seen in the Gasometer Oberhausen until 30 December 2026.

Meanwhile, an equally remarkable exhibit remains at Museum Koenig Bonn: the rare giant hind. Normally she stands side by side with the imposing male, but now she alone takes on the role of eye-catcher in the foyer. In fact, she is the rarer piece - without the characteristic antlers, she was discovered much less frequently and is now a particularly valuable testimony to past living environments.

Further links : Video report IRadio report I Reel