African specimens educate and inspire on environment, Zhao Ruixue reports.

More than 350 stuffed African wild animal specimens are on permanent free display at Shandong Provincial Museum.

With LED screens and audio equipment, a special hall is decorated like an African savanna to show the specimens.

Some are arranged to present scenes such as hundreds of animals in migration, a crocodile hiding in grass stalking prey and a leopard resting peacefully on a tree limb.

These specimens were donated by 86-year-old American philanthropist Kenneth E. Behring.

"We want children to really see true animals from Africa. This is education," said Behring.

He said the exhibition will be a venue for children to understand the natural world and inspire them to protect the environment.

"I donated specimens to use museums as platforms in a larger plan to help educate, inspire and develop future generations of public and private sector leaders around the world," Behring said in his biography The Road to Leadership.

In addition to stuffed animal specimens, visitors to the show can see typical tools and accessories used by Africans such as Maasai knives, bracelets and anklets.

Visitors can also understand the donor's life at the Behring Room and get an access through the Behring Scientific and Research Vehicle to better know the African wild animals, such as their living environment and habits.

"The specimens have greatly enriched the collections of Shandong Museum.

They show people how a harmonious world works out between human beings and nature, which means a lot to Shandong's cultural development," said Guo Shuqing, the governor of Shandong province.

On behalf of Shandong provincial government, Guo presented Behring with the honor of Shandong Honorable Citizen at the exhibition's opening ceremony held last week.

Contact the writer at zhaoruixue@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 11/21/2014 page12)