Museum’s taxidermy bear supports project to end modern-day wildlife crime
If you’ve visited the Museum of Chelmsford before, then chances are you’ve come across Boris the Bear. The 120-year-old taxidermy Brown Bear has become such a popular attraction with visitors that he’s considered to be the museum’s unofficial mascot.
Now, Boris could help protect modern-day Brown Bears from illegal poaching thanks to a new research project by a student from the University of Staffordshire.
Popular exhibit’s hair analysed to aid wildlife poaching research
Boris has been a staple of the Museum of Chelmsford’s collection since 1932. He was part of a large collection of 300 taxidermy specimens donated following the death of local GP and big game hunter, Dr Salter. Sadly, taxidermy is extremely vulnerable to pests and much of this collection has been destroyed over the years, but Boris is one of the few pieces to have survived the last century. Today, he’s a much-loved part of the museum, with an under-5s activity programme ‘Boris Bear Cubs’ even named after him.
As well as wowing and inspiring visitors young and old, taxidermy specimens in museums can be an important tool for research purposes. This was recently the case for Boris when, in late 2025, Forensic Science student Hayden Leigh from the University of Staffordshire contacted the museum to request a sample of the bear’s hair. Hayden was looking for Brown Bear hair to support their research into wildlife crime and animal hair analysis. Their research aims to develop a way to profile animal hairs to help identify and trace poaching of Brown Bears in parts of Europe.
After careful consideration of Boris’s condition, the Museum of Chelmsford agreed to open his case and grant Hayden access to retrieve a few hairs for forensic analysis.
Student Hayden Leigh from the University of Staffordshire collects hair samples from Boris the Bear.
Hayden Leigh, Student Researcher at the University of Staffordshire, explained more about the benefits of using taxidermy samples:
““Taxidermy samples from museums can play a valuable role in the research of animal hair within a forensic context, as they are often far more accessible than obtaining hair from live animals. In my project, I examined Boris’s hair at a microscopic level, assessing the characteristics of the hairs and investigating whether there was any variation across different areas of the body.
Hayden Leigh, Student Researcher, University of Staffordshire
“Having access to a preserved specimen, like Boris, provided an opportunity to examine authentic animal hair in a controlled and ethical way, without the need to handle or disturb a live animal. Taxidermy collections such as this therefore offer a wide range of opportunities for scientific investigation, providing researchers with valuable biological material while also preserving the animal itself. This means that individual specimens can continue to contribute to research and provide opportunities for further study long after they have entered a museum collection.”
Councillor Jennie Lardge, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure at Chelmsford City Council, added:
““Taxidermy is often considered a controversial part of museum collections. Today we condemn wildlife trafficking and poaching for sport, and some of the species found in museums across the world are now considered endangered or extinct due to excessive hunting. But how wonderful it is that historic taxidermy specimens like Boris could now help protect future animals from illegal hunting. It highlights the scientific value of historic taxidermy collections in museums in 2026, and we are delighted that the Museum of Chelmsford has been able to support this important project.”
Councillor Jennie Lardge, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Chelmsford City Council
More is set to be revealed about this exciting project in an upcoming talk at the Museum of Chelmsford with Hayden, and their tutor, Claire Gwinnett. ‘Behind the Case: A Bear Poaching Investigation’ on 26 September will look at the science behind wildlife crime investigations and how microscopic analysis of bear hair can play an important part in a poaching investigation. Attendees will even get the chance to examine Boris’s hairs under a microscope!
The museum mystery: what is Boris’s age and sex?
Regular visitors to the Museum of Chelmsford might think that they’ve discovered all there is to know about Boris the Bear – but think again!
While supporting Hayden’s research project, museum curators came across an interesting find. They discovered some old museum files that suggested Boris might in fact have been a female Brown Bear – so perhaps Boris should be renamed Borislava!
However, on doing some further investigations, curators came across other documents that claimed it to be a juvenile bear. Measuring at around 4-ft tall standing upright, curators had long suspected that Boris was on the smaller side for a mature male Brown Bear. But, until now, no information had ever come to light to confirm the biological sex or age.
The museum now faces the question – is Boris a female or male bear and could she or he be a juvenile? Answering these questions presents a challenge for curators. The nature of historic taxidermy methods means it is often difficult to determine the sex of some taxidermy specimens without conducting intrusive genetic tests.
As Curator and Exhibitions Officer, Sarah Harvey, explains:
““Our beloved taxidermy Brown Bear was named Boris as part of a public competition sometime in the 1980s. At that time, it was assumed to be a male Brown Bear, but this recent revelation highlights the secrets that can be hidden within even the most well-known museum pieces.
Sarah Harvey, Curator and Exhibitions Officer, Museum of Chelmsford
“While we would love to find out Boris’s true sex and age, historic taxidermy can be challenging to examine. Genitalia was usually removed for modesty, and also because taxidermists focussed on an artistic presentation and saw it as inelegant. Confirming Boris’s status would require invasive tissue sampling and DNA testing. We may one day undertake these tests to find out more about our much-loved mascot, but for now the bear’s sex and age will remain a secret.”
Sarah shares more about Boris’s history in the next episode of the museum’s podcast ‘The Chelmsford Broadcast’, releasing on 18 September. Listen for free on all major podcast platforms.
Tickets for ‘Behind the Case: A Bear Poaching Investigation’ on Saturday 26 September can be booked via the Museum of Chelmsford’s website.
