De Museumwinkel.com turned 15 this year. A milestone worth celebrating! Let’s look back at a year filled with highlights, conservation efforts, and stunning taxidermy pieces.
We kicked off the year at Maison & Objet in Paris, one of the world’s leading interior design fairs. Our booth showcased butterflies, skulls, and beautifully mounted animals. We connected with new clients, reunited with familiar faces, and gathered fresh inspiration for the year ahead.
Our demo days were a huge success once again! Visitors enjoyed an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience—from bird taxidermy to insect mounting. Education can be fun, and we proved it. A big thank you to everyone who joined, asked questions, and shared in the excitement.
In June, we celebrated our 15th anniversary. What started as a small 65m² shop with Erwin, Sophie, and Nicolette has grown into an internationally award-winning store and workshop. We’re deeply grateful to everyone who has supported us: customers, colleagues, fans, and family.
This year, we had the honor of mounting some extraordinary animals, including a majestic wolf and a stately koala now featured in our private collection. Every specimen tells a story, and we’re proud to preserve those stories for future generations.
On the night of August 4th, our beloved mounted tiger was stolen: a heartbreaking event that shook us deeply. But the outpouring of support was incredible. Messages, tips, shared posts—it felt like all of Nijmegen (and beyond) stood with us. Thank you. We’re still searching.
Our colleagues Daphne and Sophie served as judges at the UK Guild of Taxidermist Championships this year, an honor and a testament to their craftsmanship and expertise. We’re proud that De Museumwinkel.com is recognized internationally and that our team plays an active role in the global taxidermy community.
We recently added an extinct Slender-Billed Curlew to our collection, the first European bird species in modern times considered truly extinct. Its disappearance is a tragic reminder of how human impact, overpopulation, and habitat loss can erase a species forever. We see it as our responsibility to tell this story and offer visitors the rare chance to stand face-to-face with a bird that now exists only in museums.
This year, we gave a second life to a White-Tailed Eagle after a fatal collision with a wind turbine in Eemshaven. This mounted specimen highlights a harsh reality: tens of thousands of birds die annually due to wind turbines in the Netherlands, including rare species. The energy transition must go hand in hand with protecting biodiversity.
Preserving Natural Heritage
Our mission is to make natural history tangible and raise awareness about the fragility of nature. The stories of the Slender-Billed Curlew and the White-Tailed Eagle underscore the urgency of working together for a sustainable future, for both humans and wildlife.
Behind De Museumwinkel.com is a team of passionate professionals. Together, we deliver quality, creativity, and a healthy dose of humor. Whether preparing a specimen, assisting a customer, or organizing a demo day, we do it with pride and joy.
And Beyond…
Our social media grew like never before. Thank you for every like, share, and comment!
We’ve already started planning exciting projects for 2026… but more on that soon.
This year wouldn’t have been the same without you. Thank you for your trust, enthusiasm, and love for all things extraordinary. Here’s to an even more amazing 2026!
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