The elephant in the room is getting a new home: These are the new destinations for the Brockhouse collection
A South Dakota Museum closure has brought with it a new home for its famous taxidermy collection.
Arsenic exposure forced a South Dakota Museum to close, which has raised questions as to where the potentially contaminated collection of 152 stuffed animals will go.
The Delbridge Museum of Natural History at the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls closed in August of 2023 after, as put by AP, "tests showed potentially hazardous levels of arsenic present in 80% of the specimens of the Brockhouse Collection."
Local businessman and hunter Henry Brockhouse built and displayed the animal collection until he died in 1978, when they were given to various owners before being left to the museum for display.
Some elephants love mud baths, others love dust piles—but Mushuru? She loves to climb! Whether it’s scrambling up hills, scaling termite mounds, or conquering fallen logs, she tackles every challenge with determination and just a hint of mischief. One thing’s for sure—Mushuru… pic.twitter.com/cwrfEF1OBZ
— Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (@SheldrickTrust) February 20, 2025
The museum in question, which had the animals on display for almost 40 years, did not have the necessary protection in front of the animals which would stop humans from touching them, raising concerns about their stay.
After the tests results gave the worst possible news, a deal was quickly agreed: 117 specimens were to go to the University of Notre Dame Museum of Biodiversity, 33 to the Atlanta-based Oddities Museum Inc., and two to the Institute for Natural History Arts Inc. in New Jersey.
Sioux Falls Director of Parks & Recreation Don Kearney, a relieved man, told the council that the new deal “ensures that none of the collection will be disposed of, and all items will be put to good use by reputable natural history institutions.”
Say hello to Wicket of the @GreatPlainsZoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History! Despite his almost unbearable cuteness, Wicket is unfortunately one of the last red pandas left. pic.twitter.com/JGolqmiG4k
— Great Big Story (@greatbigstory) March 16, 2018
Symptoms of arsenic poisoning include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Long-term exposure can cause your skin to become affected. It has been associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer.
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