Delbridge Museum work group holds first meeting, plans 2-month process

Two months from now, a group studying options for the Delbridge Museum of Natural History collection plans to make a recommendation about what to do with it to the Sioux Falls City Council.

The six-person group was formed by the city following a plan to declare the aging taxidermy collection as surplus after an independent analysis revealed many of the specimens tested positive for arsenic.

“I’ve heard some of the concerns the public has on this collection, and this work group will help us create a plan to move forward,” Mayor Paul TenHaken said in announcing the group.

“While we know the mounts cannot stay on the Great Plains Zoo’s campus in their current condition, we ultimately need City Council to declare the collection surplus to move forward in any capacity. We collaborated with City Council leadership on this strategic pause to bring a clear plan forward that identifies what will happen to each specimen.”

The people who agreed to participate in the group are councilors Rich Merkouris and Alex Jensen, Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium board chair Jeanelle Lust, Parks and Recreation board member Mick Conlin and community members Ally Brandner and Jeff Scherschligt.

The first meeting provided background information to the group, including the inventory of specimens, the condition assessment and a report on testing.

The city also shared information on its relatively limited options to declare the donated collection as surplus and the legal and liability hurdles it believes exist.

“It was very informational,” Scherschligt said. “I think it’s going to be a good process, and we’re going to come up with some good solutions.”

The group likely will view the collection at some point. In the course of the process, it’s possible another outside expert could be hired to review the mounts. Cost estimates also could be redefined for display options if the collection were kept.

The hope is to wrap up the process by Dec. 5. Meetings are open to the public. The next one is scheduled for 8 a.m. Oct. 19 at City Hall.