Eaten Alive in Borneo: Natural History museum live

Natural History Museum event proves that, when it comes to bugs, Elvis ain’t dead.

It will come as no big surprise that the Natural History Museum has all manner of exhibitions, events and activities to keep you entertained for hours. But despite frequent visits – I’m a sucker for the animatronic T-Rex – this week was my first experience of the Nature Live event.

Held everyday at 2:30 pm in the Attenborough Studio, it offers the chance for visitors to hear from scientists with connections to the museum and question them on their work.

In my case it was an introduction to scientists working in the Borneo rainforests. Their purpose: to study biodiversity and return with new collections of insects for the museum. In the studio was the freshly returned Tim Cockerill, equipped with stunning photographs and a “Britney mike” taped to his cheek, he regaled the audience with stories of his expeditions. These ranged from the comical; personal baiting of dung beetle traps, to the more serious topic of relationships with logging companies and his research into the decline of biodiversity.

And then, through the magic of modern technology and the Attenborough Studio’s multitude of projectors, a live link was established with those scientists still in Borneo. Though late evening and most probably 100% humidity on their side, the team of soil biodiversity experts and lichenologists were happy to explain their exciting work and answer the audience’s questions.

But too soon the event’s time was up and so ended our insight into a land of leeches, sub-dermal worms, ants larger than frogs, and Elvis-impersonating bugs.

IMAGE: Copyright Tim Cockerill.