Unknown to most NUS students, the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research (RMBR) is tucked away in a secluded corner of Block S6 at the Faculty of Science. RMBR has its roots in the Raffles Library and Museum, an idea that Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles first mooted in 1823. When the museum was re-designated as the National Museum, the natural history collection was moved out in 1970s. Over the years, RMBR increased its collection of specimens by collecting or exchanging specimens from museums all over the world, and as such it is a constantly growing collection. RMBR’s main mission is to facilitate biodiversity research. It supports NUS teaching modules and conducts educational tours and workshops for schools and the public.
Professor Tommy Koh, Honorary Chairman of the National Heritage Board, suggested in 2004 that a building dedicated to the natural history of Southeast Asia should be built. Fundraising efforts started in 2009 and the core fundraising team was able to raise sufficient funds for the construction of a natural history museum at NUS. NUS will soon house the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM), the first natural history museum to be opened in Singapore. LKCNHM will be built on the site of the previous Office of Estate and Development on the Kent Ridge campus.
The seven-storey LKCNHM resembles a dark greyish rock with a cliff landscape featuring plants and trees that are found on similar cliffs on our southern islands. Visitors can also expect to see a mangrove-to-freshwater swamp display and a phylogenetic garden. The current exhibits at RMBR will be moved to LKCNHM. These include specimens such as the largest of all living turtles – the leathery turtle–and the orange-spotted grouper, which is now endangered.
Along with the current collection of preserved specimens, LKCNHM will also feature the 150 million-year-old fossil skeletons of three sauropod dinosaurs. Discovered in 2007, 2008 and 2009, these dinosaur bones are extremely rare as the fossils are about 80% complete. LKCNHM will increase the museum’s capacity for research and learning in the areas of biodiversity. This new natural history museum will be ready in late 2014.
Currently, LKCNHM is in its third phase of fundraising. The public is encouraged to donate at http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg.