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MNHNP

Contribuir Especímenes

Aprendé cómo contribuir a nuestras colecciones científicas y ayudar a documentar la biodiversidad del Paraguay.

Cómo Contribuir Especímenes

Scientific collections are the foundation of biodiversity research. Properly collected and documented specimens are critical for understanding and conserving Paraguay's natural heritage.

Why Specimen Collection Matters

Scientific specimens preserved in museum collections serve as permanent, verifiable records of biodiversity. They are essential for:

Documenting species that exist or existed in a given area and time
Enabling future researchers to verify identifications and discover new species
Providing material for DNA, morphological, and ecological studies
Understanding the effects of habitat loss, climate change, and invasive species
Supporting conservation planning with evidence-based species data

The preservation paradox

While it may seem contradictory, responsible collecting is widely recognized by the scientific community as beneficial for biodiversity conservation. Without documented specimens, we cannot quantify what is being lost when habitats are destroyed. Museum collections often contain the only records of species from areas that have since been converted to agriculture or development.

Legal Framework

Important regulatory information

Collection Permits Required

In Paraguay, the collection of biological specimens requires authorization from MADES (Ministerio del Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible). Collecting wildlife without proper permits is prohibited under Paraguayan environmental law (Ley N° 96/92 "De Vida Silvestre" and Ley N° 1561/00 that created the SEAM, now MADES).

Who can collect? Only researchers and institutions with valid MADES collection permits may legally collect and preserve biological specimens. The MNHNP holds institutional collection permits and coordinates with MADES for all field activities.

Found specimens: Members of the public who find dead animals (road-killed wildlife, window-strike birds, natural mortality) may bring these to the MNHNP for potential inclusion in the collections. These "opportunistic" specimens are extremely valuable and do not require collection permits, as the animal was not actively collected.

CITES considerations: Some species are protected under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). Special documentation is required for any cross-border movement of specimens.

Required Data for Every Specimen

The scientific value of a specimen depends entirely on the quality of its associated data. A specimen without proper data is almost worthless for research. Please record the following information as accurately as possible.

Essential — Always Required

Field	Description	Example
Date	Day, month, year of collection or finding	`15 March 2026`
Locality	Specific place name, district, department	`Reserva San Rafael, Itapúa`
GPS Coordinates	Latitude and Longitude (decimal degrees preferred)	`-26.3724, -55.7529`
Collector name	Full name of person who found/collected	`María González`
How found	Circumstances (road-killed, trapped, net, etc.)	`Found dead on Ruta 6`

Highly Recommended

Field	Description	Example
Habitat	Type of environment	`Gallery forest edge`
Elevation	Meters above sea level	`180 m`
Photos	In-situ photos before handling	`3 photos attached`
Measurements	Weight, length (if possible)	`Total length: 45 cm`
Sex	Male, female, or unknown	`Female (adult)`
Notes	Any behavioral or condition observations	`Fresh, no decomposition`

📋 Example: Reporting a Found Specimen

Imagine you find a dead bird on the roadside. Here is an ideal report to bring with the specimen to the MNHNP:

Date: 15 March 2026

Location: Km 12, Ruta Mcal. Estigarribia, San Lorenzo, Central

Coordinates: -25.3425, -57.5094 (from phone GPS)

Collector: Juan Pérez

Circumstances: Bird found dead on road shoulder, likely vehicle strike

Habitat: Suburban area, near gallery forest patch

Condition: Fresh, intact, no visible decomposition

Description: Medium-sized bird, ~25 cm, bright green/blue plumage, orange bill

Photos: 2 in-situ photos taken before handling

Handling: Placed in sealed plastic bag, kept in shade

Preservation tip: If you find a dead animal and wish to bring it to the museum, place it in a sealed plastic bag and keep it cool (refrigerated, not frozen, if possible). Note the exact location and circumstances. Bring it to the MNHNP as soon as practical. Contact us at 0981 970060 before your visit if possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I collect wild animals or plants on my own?

What types of specimens does the museum accept?

How should I preserve a found specimen before bringing it in?

I am a researcher — how do I arrange a collecting expedition?

Will I be credited if my specimen leads to a discovery?