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The Hong Kong Science Museum has announced the good news that Lyuba, the preserved specimen of a mammoth from the Ice Age that is on display at the ifc mall until today (May 10) and has been greatly loved by the public, will be moved to the museum's lobby and go on display for free from Monday (May 14) to June 10.
Entitled "I Love Lyuba: Baby Mammoth of the Ice Age", the exhibition is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and organised by the Hong Kong Science Museum with support from ifc mall, Henderson Land Development Company Limited and Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP).
A spokesman for the Hong Kong Science Museum said today, "Appearing spectacularly in Hong Kong in the past few weeks, Lyuba has received an overwhelming response from the public. It is its first appearance in Asia. Thanks to ifc mall, Henderson Land and SHKP, we could grab this rare opportunity to move it to the Hong Kong Science Museum for exhibition for four more weeks, offering the public more opportunities to visit this loveable baby mammoth."
The spokesman added, "To deepen public understanding of the baby mammoth, the museum will enhance docent services for this exhibition."
During the exhibition period, the museum will, with the aim of enriching the educational value of the exhibition, arrange docent services for school visits from 10am to 5pm daily from Monday to Friday (except for Thursdays when the museum is closed). Interested parties have to apply in advance by fax (fax number: 2311 2248). Docent services will also be arranged for the public from 11am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The quota for each session of the docent services is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, the museum will organise a storytelling activity, "The Adventure of Lyuba", for children between 5 and 11 years old and their parents from 3pm to 4.30pm on May 26 and June 9. Through the interesting story of Lyuba and interactive games, participants will be able to learn more about the human impact on the natural world. These services and activities will be conducted in Cantonese. Details will be available on the Hong Kong Science Museum's website at hk.science.museum on May 14.
The mammoth on display came from Russia's Shemanovsky Museum. It is the world's most well-preserved mammoth and lay buried in permafrost for 40,000 years. Except for its toenails, tail and one ear, the rest of the animal has been remarkably preserved, including both its outlook and inner organs and even its eyelashes.
The mammoth was found by Yuri Khudi in May 2007. It was named Lyuba after Khudi's wife and it was discovered that it was just 32 days old when it died. After thorough analysis by a team of experts, the frozen Lyuba was converted into a preserved specimen in 2010 to be exhibited to the public in a display case.
More than just an eye-opening specimen put on display for the public, Lyuba has also brought people information about the Arctic environment 40,000 years ago. Experts have gained a deeper understanding of the environment and climate change through samples of food remains from its stomach. Visitors will be fascinated by the latest scientific findings and be inspired to reflect upon the need to preserve eco-systems and bio-diversity.
The Hong Kong Science Museum is located at 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East. It is open from 1pm to 9pm from Monday to Wednesday and on Fridays, and from 10am to 9pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. It is closed on Thursdays (except public holidays). Admission is free for "I Love Lyuba: Baby Mammoth of the Ice Age". For enquiries, please call 2732 3232.
Ends/Thursday, May 10, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:43
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