In a heartwarming display of inter-regional collaboration, an expert conservator from Lancashire has journeyed across the Lancashire-Yorkshire border to lend a helping hand to Billie, the iconic hippopotamus at Leeds Discovery Centre.
Despite being a cherished attraction for visitors, Billie, who is nearing his centenary milestone, has begun to exhibit signs of aging, prompting concerns among curators about his deteriorating condition. Noticing cracks and peeling paint on Billie’s vintage plaster and paintwork, curators swiftly mobilized efforts to restore the beloved mammal to his former splendor, just in time for his 100th birthday next year.
Lucie Mascord, a specialist conservation officer from Lancashire County Council’s Conservation Studios, spearheaded the restoration efforts alongside Leeds Museums and Galleries curators. Mascord, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to work on such a unique project, remarked, “Taxidermy like this can still hold significant educational value. Few people have seen a hippo, let alone one unsubmerged by water. Working on a full mount hippo is a rare opportunity for a natural history conservator. I am very lucky to be able to take my time to learn more about the animal and to have the honor of returning this hippo to its full majesty so it can be shared with many more people for years to come.”
Billie’s storied history traces back to his tenure as one of London Zoo’s star attractions in the late 1920s, capturing the fascination of zoo-goers during a period of burgeoning interest in exotic wildlife. Following his demise from an intestinal obstruction at the tender age of seven, Billie was preserved through taxidermy and eventually found a new home at Leeds City Museum in 1938.
Surviving wartime bombings and enduring multiple relocations, Billie now stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of natural history preservation.
Upon completion of the conservation work, Billie will take his place alongside the bones of the famous Armley Hippo at Leeds City Museum. This juxtaposition will offer visitors a unique opportunity to delve into the evolutionary journey of these magnificent creatures and their habitats over millennia.
Clare Brown, Curator of Natural Sciences at Leeds Museums and Galleries, expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts, highlighting the invaluable insights historic specimens like Billie offer in understanding and conserving vulnerable species today.
The conservation endeavors have been made possible through generous support from the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society and Arts Council England.
Billie’s restoration serves as a poignant reminder of the power of collaborative efforts in preserving our natural heritage and enriching public engagement with the wonders of the animal kingdom.