100 Years of Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense

The Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense (MZB), with a Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) as its logo, was initially called in Dutch, Landbouw Zoologisch Laboratorium. It was established as an institute whose main task was to investigate the pests and diseases of economically valuable plats, caused by animals. In its further developments, its tasks also include the inventory and collection of all animal species living in Indonesia.

 Now with standing its purpose as the institution for the inventory of all Indonesian animal species, the MZB's duties have been elaborated to include the research and development of biological characteristics of animals so that they can be sustainably used. The name Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense was formally used from 1947 to 1986, and it has been under the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) with its blue logo since 1987. Meanwhile, in 1987 the name changed into the Research and Development Agency for Zoology (Balitbang Zoology), LIPI. The name MZB is, however, still used along with its new name for communication with foreign institutes as this is the internationally accepted abreviation for the museum.

Among the thousands of specimens in the MZB's collections, two are presented in stamps issued by the Directorate Generalof Posts and Telecommunications to commemorate the centerial of the MZB, namely the skeletons of the Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus L) and the Java Rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus Desmarest). Respectively the Public Corporation for Posts and Giro issues the First Day Cover.

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus L)

The male Blue Whale of which the skeleton is preserved in the MZB was unfortunately washed ashore dead on southern coast of ex Priangan Residency, between Cilauteureun and Cikelet in 1916. The reconstruction of its skeleton was not completed until February 1918. The gigantic mammal weighed approximately 119 tons, and measured 27.28 in length and 15.12 in girth.

Java Rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus Desmarest)

Java Rhino of which only between 50 and 75 individuals are left, are found in the Nature Conservation of Ujungkulon, West Java. The 228 kg male Java Rhino, of which the skeleton is preserved in the MZB, was shot when it lost its way in Karangnunggal, Tasikmalaya West Java in 1934