U Myo Naing at work preserving dead animals at his workshop in Yangon. - Xinhua
YANGON: In a quiet corner of Yangon, hidden among the bustling streets, stands a modest tent filled with bodies of dead animals that have been preserved through taxidermy. This is where U Myo Naing, 52, one of Myanmar's few taxidermists, has kept this art alive for over 25 years.
"Taxidermy is the art of preparing, stuffing, and mounting the skins of deceased animals. I learned the art of taxidermy from my teacher, U Paw Than," U Myo Naing said.
"In Myanmar, taxidermy is a rare and endangered art. I continue to practise it because I want to pass it on to the next generation and preserve this art in our country," he added.
"I am inviting hobbyists who want to learn taxidermy. There are a few people who learn this art, but no one completes the course. Most of them study this as a hobby, not for a living. So, we need new generations to preserve this rare craft," he said.
Phyo Arkar, who has devoted over four years to studying taxidermy, said, "I am drawn to this rare art form and see its value in preserving both rare wildlife and beloved pets in lifelike form, even after they have passed away. Although I am still exploring how to make a living from it, I believe the art is highly beneficial for pet lovers."
Ko Pyae, who has studied taxidermy for about a month, said, "Though interested in the art, I don't have any plans to earn from it. I think it can still help pet lovers in some way."
According to U Myo Naing, "I typically work on two or three animals for taxidermy in a month, though sometimes, there are no offers at all. Despite this, I continue this work because I want to preserve this art for future generations."
"Currently, there are only two main taxidermists in Myanmar, including myself. I give courses at universities to promote this art and encourage enthusiasts to preserve this rare craft," he said. - Xinhua
