The section was established simultaneously with the inception of the Colombo National Museum in 1877.
The division act as the faucal point for the National Faunal Repository in Sri Lanka. (except entomological specimens), by holding the single largest faunal collection of the country. The records in these collections can be successfully used in assessing the faunal diversity in Sri Lanka. Besides this the collection has its major importance in authenticating National fauna, while allowing effective operation of the Convention of Biological Diversity in the Island.
The division has two major branches
Bird and Mammal branch Invertebrates and other
(including Taxidermy section) Vertebrates branch
Bird and Mammal branch
The section presently holds and maintains a collection of mammal and bird skins, a collection of bird eggs and a collection of skulls and skeletons of mammals.
Major faunal groups Specified groups No. of specimens(deposited
Vertebrates Mammals about 2968
Birds about 3420
The collection represents almost each and every species of birds and mammals presently recorded in the country.
Taxidermy section also held under this branch. The main function of this section is stuffing of skins of animals. The stuffed tusker (a culturally significant “Raja Atha”) displayed at the Dalada Maligawa, Kandy, is one of the out standing works carried out by the staff of this section.
Invertebrates and other vertebrates branch
Other vertebrates
The section presently holds and maintains about 23,000 vertebrate wet specimens.
Fishs- About 15,000
Amphibians-About 1060
Reptiles- About 7,000
These collections comprise almost each and every species presently recorded in Sri-Lanka.
Invertebrates
This section holds an extensive collection of land mollusks found in Sri-Lanka and a representative collection of seashells.
Mollusks specimens- about 12,000 .
In addition a representative collection of polychetes - about 2,000 specimens.
Other invertebrate specimens - about 5,000 specimens.
The services and duties rendered by the division
- Maintain and upgrade the National Faunal Repository and carries out field surveys to collect faunal specimens that to fulfill the requirements needed to maintain the standards as the National Faunal Repository.
- Formulate and where necessary upgrade and inventory of faunal collections.
- The division carries out researches and produce scientific articles related to faunal taxonomy and biodiversity in collaboration with local and foreign scientists and scientific institutions.
- Provide scientific data and information for local and foreign scientists, students and for general public related to the subjects.
- To promote awareness among people the division establishes permanent, temporary and mobile exhibitions related to biodiversity and biodiversity conservation.
