The Pond Collection

This exceptional donation to the University of Oxford from Dr Caroline Pond consists of zoological material, mostly bones, for advanced study and research in biological and medical sciences. Use of the Collection at WildCRU is strictly limited to observational study. Access is open to all members of the University of Oxford, by arrangement with WildCRU. Others may apply to study it. Please direct enquiries about access to wcru@zoo.ox.ac.uk

Professor David Macdonald, founding Director of WildCRU, who has been friends with Caroline since she survived the attempt to teach him insect neurophysiology as an undergraduate, said “We are delighted and honoured to have the Pond Collection at WildCRU, the specimens will inspire and inform, and the marvellous new space in which they are housed will become a focal point for our staff and students to enjoy conversation, concentration and contemplation in a setting at the intersection of fundamental zoology and conservation futures. Caroline Pond has done a great thing in bringing us this collection and in creating the space to house it, and we applaud and thank her”.

The Pond Collection at WildCRU Online Catalogue

User Guide

Related taxa are grouped together in the display cabinets, with all small items in the Bates cabinet drawers. Duplicates and minor items are in bags or boxes in cupboards. Skulls, jaws and other major components of large species are tagged and/or marked with a unique ID number and displayed on or near bag(s) of other components of the same individual, identified by the specimen’s unique ID number. All specimens and furniture are labelled, photographed and catalogued.

The Catalogue lists ID numbers, common and scientific names, components held, the designated place(s) in the Collection and records of removals and alterations.

Scientists may remove items for sampling for any biologically-relevant physical or chemical procedure, including defacement or partial destruction (remains to be returned if possible). Please send enquiries about such uses to wcru@zoo.ox.ac.uk and caroline.pond@zoo.ox.ac.uk. All removals and sampling will be recorded in the Catalogue. To comply with University Safety Office regulations, invasive handling of specimens must take place in suitable laboratories to be arranged with the Zoology Department, contact wcru@zoo.ox.ac.uk in the first place.

Terms of Use

1. All access of the Collection is by arrangement with WildCRU
2. Its use on site at WildCRU is strictly limited to observational study
3. Any removal or sampling of specimens must be approved and recorded
4. All scientific uses require keeping all components of each specimen together. All teeth, bone or skin fragments that fall off during handling must be replaced in the numbered bag with the rest of that specimen as designated in the Catalogue
5. Artists may draw, photograph, trace or scan any item following these rules, but permission will NOT be granted for removal or defacement of specimens for collages, installations or other non-scientific purposes

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