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Marine Turtle Newsletter 16:6, © 1980

"Confiscated!": An Exhibition

N. Mrosovsky

(review based on information sent by Tara Busser, Public Relations Officer, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Wade Oval, University Circle, Cleveland, Ohio, USA 44106.)

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History has prepared an exhibition of confiscated specimens of endangered wildlife and their products that have been seized by US Fish and Wildlife Agents after entering the United States illegally. "Confiscated!" covers rhinos, large cats and many other animals but a large section is devoted to sea turtles. The exhibit has been on view at Cleveland till Oct. 5, 1980. It will then travel as follows: Cincinnati Museum of Natural History (opens Feb. 14, 1981), Dallas Museum of Natural History (Aug. - Nov. 1981), Denver Museum of Natural History (Feb. - May, 1982), American Museum of Natural History, N.Y. (Aug. - Nov. 1982), Philadelphia Academy of Science (Feb. - May, 1983), Grand Rapids Public Museum (Aug. - Nov. 1983), Milwaukee Public Museum (Feb. - May 1984).

The written material associated with this exhibition is exaggerated (e.g., "If present trends continue, the green turtle will become extinct by 1983.") but the displays are eyecatching and skillfully prepared. Making people aware of import laws is a relatively unexplored area for conservationists and this pioneering exhibition should find widespread use beyond the schedule given above. If only it could be shown at airports rather than museums!