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Today, the majority of the specimens added to the Puget Sound Museum collection come to us via salvage. This means animals are already found dead as road kill, window strikes, etc. and donated to us by interested people, wildlife rehabilitators, and government agencies. If you've found a dead animal and wish to donate it to the museum, please read the information below. If you want to be acknowledged as the the finder, please provide your name and contact info in case there are questions. 

I've found a dead animal. What do I do with it?

1. Note when and where the specimen was found (these are the two most important pieces of data for science!). Specimens without this information are of little use to the scientific community, although they can still be used for teaching. Write the following information on a piece of paper using waterproof ink...the more information the better!

  • Locality - Be as specific as possible, for example "2 mi. S of Twisp, Okanogan Co., WA" or an exact address.

  • Date - Please write out the month to avoid any date confusion. 1/7/23 could be read as January 7th or 1 June 1st, so always write out the month.

  • Salvager's name, address, and telephone number - This ensures that we can contact you for more information if necessary.

  • Additional info - This can include cause of death if you saw how the animal passed, notes about the surroundings, etc.

2. Wrap up and store the specimen properly by placing it in a well sealed plastic bag (or two), placing your paper containing the specimen data in the bag or stapled to it, and storing it in a freezer. Please do not vacuum seal specimens. Proper storage ensures that the specimen remains intact and provides us with more data. Additional notes about storing specimens can be read below.

  • Plug a bird's throat with a piece of cotton or tissue to prevent blood leakage.
  • Birds should be wrapped in newspaper to keep their feathers undamaged.
  • Use a sturdy plastic bag.
  • Squeeze the air out of the bag.
  • Close the bag tightly with a knot or twist-tie.
  • If the specimen is to be in a freezer for many months, it should be double- bagged; desiccated specimens are more difficult to prepare.
  • Feathers and appendages are breakable, the latter especially when frozen. Be careful not to bend them.
  • Avoid puncturing the bag with the bill, claws or teeth; wrapping in newspaper will accomplish this. Fold long specimens up.

Note: As of 2010, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the source of federal regulations, allows specimen salvage with the intent of donating specimens to a permitted institution.

Next Steps

Once your salvaged specimen is properly stored and you have recorded all associated data, you can contact the museum to see if we will take the specimen. In general, we take as many specimens as possible but occasionally turn down common specimens due to storage space constraints. Call or email us to inquire about donating the salvaged specimen.

Dropping off specimens at the museum

You are always welcome to come into the museum to drop off a specimen you wish to donate. However, we do not have open hours for visitors so there is no guarantee that the museum will be unlocked or that staff will be available. We always recommend calling or emailing us to schedule a drop-off time. 

Drop off your specimen in the small freezer outside of the museum. We currently have a small freezer set up in the hallway directly outside the Thompson 295 (the museum entrance). You are welcome to place your specimen in the freezer and call or email us to let us know it's there. Please note that in the summer and after certain hours, the doors to Thompson Hall remain locked.

Drop off your specimen on Vashon Island. If you live on Vashon Island, you can drop off your specimens at 10925 SW Bank Road (green mailbox, first drive west of the Augie's sign) in the blue cooler by drive entrance. Please call, text, or email Collections Manager, Gary Shugart, at 206 949-9381 or gwshugart@gmail.com to let him know you have donated a specimen. .

I've found a Bald Eagle

Unfortunately, Federal and State permits prohibit museums from accepting dead eagles and it is illegal to keep them as an individual. Found eagles can be sent to the USFWS eagle repository or should be left alone.