| The Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research (RMBR) houses Singapore's main and reference collection of preserved zoological specimens as well as a herbarium. The specimens are used for comparative research on the flora and fauna of Singapore and the Southeast Asian region. They are the preserved physical record of the region's biodiveristy.
Their public gallery offers visitors a glimpse into the Museum's historical and current biodiveristy collection. Permanent, temporary and thematic displays in the gallery include: Biodiversity of Singapore; Southeast Asian Ecosystems; Surprising Singapore; Things Peope Eat; and Raffles the Naturalist, amongst others. Don't miss the Phylogenetic Garden which is located just beside the museum.
In 1972, the National University of Singapore (NUS) inherited the zoological and literature collections from the Raffles Museum and Library. The latter Institution, established in 1849, had decided to concentrate on history, culture, and the arts. It consequently became the National Museum of Singapore under the National Heritage Board.
Under the NUS, the collection was named the Zoological Reference Collection (ZRC). Modern facilities were established in 1987 to house the ZRC to facilitate its research objectives at the NUS Kent Ridge Campus. The department has its origins in the former Departments of Botany and Zoology which were merged in 1996.
On 1st October 1998, the NUS Department of Biological Sciences' herbarium was incorporated into the ZRC to form the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research (RMBR). The Public Gallery of the RMBR was officially opened on 15 June 2001.
This museum is named after the colonial founder of modern Singapore, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. Although an amateur naturalist, Raffles was one of the pioneers who applied western science to the discovery, naming and documentation of the biodiversity in Southeast Asia.
( Source: RMBR )
Gallery Tours of RMBR Public Gallery for School Groups and Corporate Groups are available. There are charges involved and bookings of at least 7 days in advance. Check out their website for more info.
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