A post from guest curator, Laura Mc Coy, who explains how this plastic decoy is used as a conservation tool …
“There are only an estimated eight pairs of Puffin on the Isle of Man, and Manx National Heritage, in partnership with Manx Wildlife Trust, wanted them to recolonise the Calf of Man, a small island Bird Observatory south of the main island. After being absent for nearly thirty years they finally returned in 2021.

These endearing, colourful birds nest in colonies. As there were no resident adults at the Calf, plastic Puffin decoys like this one, on display in the Extinct exhibition, are used. It takes time to convince young birds to prospect a new home; Puffins reach breeding age at five or six years old, mate for life and use the same burrow every year, living to be around 20. Hopefully this fledgling community will grow under the guardianship of the Wardens. This model certainly fulfilled its role as ambassador for its species.”

Thanks to Laura for contributing this great object and for providing an image and text.
The Extinct exhibition is open until the end of May 2022.