Gunther von Hagens' BODY WORLDS of Animals Opening March 19 at the Neunkirchen Zoo

NEUNKIRCHEN, Germany, March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Anatomist and Inventor of Plastination, Dr. Gunther von Hagens and curator Dr. Angelina Whalley present their new exhibition, BODY WORLDS of Animals (Koerperwelten Der Tiere), premiering at the Neunkirchen Zoo in Germany, beginning March 19, 2010.  Presented as a holistic and sculptural anatomical menagerie, the display features the most revered species in the animal kingdom: among them a long-lashed, freckled tall blonde—a giraffe; and two regal, husky, graceful, behemoth elephants.

Thanks to the revolutionary technology of plastination, this unique animal exhibition shows the complex, intricate biology of the natural world's most remarkable creatures, and the evolutionary intelligence of their nervous system, bones, muscles and organs.

"Samba" and "Chiana" -- the beloved elephants who died at the zoo and were donated to the Institute for Plastination more than four years ago -- will return in plastinated splendor, joining other inhabitants of the animal kingdom including a giraffe, bear, gorilla, and ostrich to name a few.

The animal revue posed immense technical challenges for Dr. von Hagens and his plastination team.  "Samba" with her size of 6 meters long and 3.5 meters tall is the largest creature that Dr. von Hagens has ever plastinated – the specimen is as heavy as three passenger cars. The preservation required 64,000 working hours, four tons of silicone and 40,000 liters of acetone. By comparison, a human plastinate is completed in 3,000 hours.

The exhibition allows a peek under the thick yet light-sensitive skin of an elephant. Its trunk with its network of 40,000 muscles is a feat of design excellence, as well as virtuosity.  Visitors will see a plastinated giraffe and learn how its unique cardiovascular system prevents it from being in permanent cardiac arrest and allows it to overcome the challenges of its extreme physique.

"Other than ourselves, animals are the last remaining piece of nature in our man-made environment. I hope that BODY WORLDS of Animals will increase appreciation for animals, especially endangered species, and remind us all of our obligation to animal welfare," said Dr. von Hagens, a professed animal lover.

For further information, please visit www.KoerperweltenDerTiere.de

Press office BODY WORLDS of Animals

Rathausstrasse 18, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany

E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE BODY WORLDS

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