Scientific activities
Participation in scientific research of the fund material.
The material accumulated in the museum funds is studied by scientists from time to time: the names of known or unknown individuals are revised, species are systematized into higher taxonomic categories according to the requirements of the current nomenclature, duplicates of some exhibits are sent for molecular research. Scientists are interested in the information provided on the labels - date, locations, who collected and described, etc. and use this data in their scientific works.
In 1997-2005, the following fund material was managed and used for this purpose:
Aves – R.R. Budrys (VU, LSC, Department of Zoology)
Ephemeroptera – Tomas Ruginis (PhD student at Klaipėda University)
Coleoptera: Carabidae - Vytautas Tamutis (Kaunas Forest Management Institute)
Hemiptera – Stasys Molis (private individual, biology teacher)
Homoptera – Monsevičius Virgis
Odonata – Bernard Rafal (Poland, Poznan, A.Mickevičius University)
Mollusca – T. Backeljau (Belgium)
Bones – L. Daugnora (Kaunas)
Organization of expeditions.
Since 1991, the Zoological Museum has not had special funds for expeditions.
The museum staff only helps organize expeditions of scientists from other countries to Lithuania, during which part of the collected material is left in the Zoological Museum.
In 2003-2004, Dr. R. Bernard (Poland, Poznan, A. Mickiewicz University) visited for this purpose; Dr. E. Wlosik-Benchak (Poland, Poznan, A. Mickiewicz University); in 2008, Dr. Digna Pilate (Latvia, Daugavpils University)
Management (inventory, systematization) and preparation of the scientific material of the new Department of Zoology for effective storage and further scientific research.
The museum staff ensures that the collection material of scientific research conducted at the Department of Zoology is transferred to the Museum of Zoology. We are also grateful to the staff of other institutions for the donated collections.
In 1997-2005, the following were transferred and accepted:
Prof. habil. dr. Sigitas Podėnas' collection of Insecta: Diptera material.
Dr. V. Rėlis' collection of Arachnida material.
Assoc. dr. S. Sinkevičius' collection of bird (Aves) eggs.
Educational activities
In the Zoological Museum, VU LSC students practically learn about animals and their systematics:
1st year: During the study of the subject "Invertebrate Zoology".
2nd year: During the study of the subject "Vertebrate Zoology".
Other courses: During the study of specialized subjects.
Exercises by students and teachers of the Department of Zoology of VU LSC are carried out in the Zoological Museum:
During the course of studying the subject "Vertebrate Zoology" of the II course.
During the specialized biology teacher studies.
The following students will be introduced to the principles of classification and the exposition of the Zoological Museum:
VPU Faculty of Natural Sciences students – future biology teachers;
VPU Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology students – future primary school teachers.
Looking for creative inspiration at the Museum of Zoology:
VGTU Faculty of Architecture students (topics - Bionics)
Students of the Department of Photographic Technology of the Faculty of Design of VSDK (topics - photomicrographs)
Cognitive activities
- We prepare exhibitions for famous scientists and zoologists.
- We organize international and other exhibitions.
- We offer lectures-demonstrations (pre-ordered on the desired topic)
- We conduct general or thematic excursions
Educational activities are being developed at the Vilnius University Museum of Zoology, and during the Specialized Professional Studies, the idea of developing teachers' abilities to conduct lessons in an informal environment - at the Museum of Zoology was raised. During the studies in 2001-2005, taking into account the general education curricula, 14 thematic educational excursions were prepared for grades 5, 7, and 8. These excursions are not offered as a form of additional education, but as a specific place for formal education - i.e. it is proposed to conduct some lessons not at school, but at the Museum of Zoology. These educational excursions can also be conducted by an educationalist for informal education (museum employees) according to the teacher's wishes. In 2004, a study of one topic was conducted and it was proven that an educational excursion opens up excellent opportunities for natural science education (Biteniekyte, Skujiene, 2004).
In 1997-2005, the Zoological Museum hosted an average of 10 excursions per month.
Visitors to the Zoological Museum:
- not only from Vilnius, but also from various districts and towns, e.g., Mažeikiai, Ukmergė, Vilnius district; Rumšiškės, Maišiogala, Alytus, Tauragė, Anykščiai, etc. schoolchildren (primary, secondary, gymnasiums).
- Geology and Biology Olympiad participants; young Future Doctors; students from the Naturalists Station; children of diplomats accredited in Lithuania, students from the Children and Youth Center, School for the Deaf, Development Center, participants of the Lithuanian Youth Tourism Center, students from the Higher Technology School, Vilnius Auxiliary School, etc.
- The youngest visitors to the museum are kindergarteners.
- The oldest visitors to the museum are Customs officers (training courses-excursions), graduates of the Theological Seminary (participated in a study tour).
TV shows
Various TV shows for children and adults are filmed at the Zoological Museum or some exhibits are filmed.
In 1997-2005, the Zoological Museum assisted in the preparation of some shows: ,,Green Tree of Life”, "Window to Nature", ,,Morning Wheel”, ,,News”, 2002-04-02 LNK ,,Dviračio šou”, 2006-12-13 LNK (hosted by R. Grineviūtė) show ,,The Last Crossroads”. 2008-01-24 LTV-2 channel ,,Shadows of Ages” historical cultural show (hosted by A. Bumblauskas)
Cooperation
The museum staff strives to establish contacts with other zoological museums, societies and scientists in Lithuania and abroad, to attract collectors in order to supplement zoological collections, to exchange exhibits, knowledge of the storage and handling of museum exhibits, and literature. Also, the exhibits of the Zoological Museum participate in various art projects, performances, exhibitions, etc.
On February 27, 2019, it was agreed to cooperate with Vilnius Adam Mickiewicz Lyceum. On February 27, the event "Ecologically means logically" took place, which encouraged students to pay attention to environmental problems, to be interested in their emergence and ways of solving them. The museum agreed to give a free excursion to the winning team.
On November 18, 2016, an agreement was signed with UAB “BVRG” on cooperation in the project - Informal nature learning lessons “NATURES”. During the project, Lithuanian schoolchildren will be able to get acquainted with the most typical representatives of Lithuanian invertebrates (64 insects and 46 mollusks) in an educational mobile exhibition prepared by VU Zoological Museum employee V.Kuznecova.
In 2008, the Agreement with Panevėžys Territorial Customs on the transfer of confiscated animals to VU Zoological Museum was renewed:
On January 17, 2006, Vilnius Territorial Customs transferred confiscated goods to VU Zoological Museum – a crocodile skull, two Strombus gigas shells, and a white coral.
The VU Zoological Museum periodically holds training sessions for Customs employees on how to practically identify and locate species covered by the CITES Convention based on 5 virtual descriptors (Bird, Butterfly, Sturgeons, Turtle, Croc, Trophy).