The Voyage of Discovery

The thousand-strong army of birds from Damaraland, Namibia, has been here since 1888. The collection is not only a natural science sensation but is also a strange, dramatic story about voyages of discovery that started in the forests of Värmland, to continue inland in southern Africa. We can follow the British bear hunter and zoologist Llewelyn Lloyd through the Swedish winter forests, and the zoologists and traders Charles John Andersson and Axel Eriksson on their dramatic expeditions and trade journeys in Africa during the 19th century. In the exhibition you can also learn how to pack equipment for a real voyage of discovery.

Vänersborg´s zoologyical tradition started in the year of 1830 with the rather eccentric bear hunter, Llewellyn Lloyd, who moved from England to Sweden. He hunted and collected the fauna of the provinces surrounding Vänern. His interests were passed on to his son, Charles John Anderson, who became one of the most acclaimed explorer of Africa of his times. His dramatic and capturing depictions of his travels through Southern Africa attract readers to this day.

The tradition of zoology continued with a young butcher´s son, Axel Eriksson. He became Charles John Anderson´s assistant and together they travelled through Africa. After Charles John Anderson’s death, Axel Eriksson continued his research in Africa. For instance, he mapped the bird life in Damara and Omaruru in modern Namibia. He also managed to construct a trading station which became central to the trade of ivory, weapons, ostrich feathers and cattle.

The extensive bird collection, of great importance for the founding and the establishment of Vänersborg museum, was donated to the city of Vänersborg in 1883 by Axel Eriksson. It was mounted by the renowned taxudernust Gustav Kolthoff (1845-1913).

Boubou - Duet-singing birds from Africa

There is a bird int the African collection called Boubou. In Africa, one can hear two birds sing duets with such skill that one often perceive the song as if it came from a single bird.

Jacana - Birds from Africa who almost can walk on water

Jacana, these big-footed birds from Africa can distribute their weight so that they can walk on lily pads on their hunt for fish. Two species can be seen in the African bird exhibition.

Secretarybird - a tough bird from Africa

There is a bird in Africa who do not fear the black mamba. In the African exhibition you can see the secretarybird with its long legs and wonderful eyelashes.

Flamingo - a bird from Africa in shimmering pink

In the African bird collection we find a plankton-eating bird - the flamingo. In Africa, it lives in saltwater lakes and ponds.

Honeyguide-Birds showing where honey can be found

Few birds interact with humans. Some species that do from southwest Africa, which can be found in the African exhibittion. They are honeyguides.

Sunbirds - Hummingbirds from Africa

These birds fly from flower to flower, as glittering jewels. In Africa they are called Sunbirds and several species are to be seen in the African Bird Collection.

The Hornbill-bird

The bird belonging to the Hornbill family is not suffering from claustrophobia. Imagine being entombed in a tree. The Hornbill-birds can be found in the African bird exhibit.

Cane rat

The cane rat is considered a good ingredient in various dishes. There are farms where cane rats are bred for consumption.

Updated: 2021-06-14 07:10

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