Naturalis is regularly offered objects that the law does not allow us to accept. Possessing, trading - and even donating! - of endangered species may be punishable by law.
Protectedspecies
Naturalis' collection consists largely of donated private collections, which we accept and manage on behalf of the State. While we do appreciete the donations, we cannot and should not accept everything read more
This page specifically talks about plants, animals and fungi protected by the CITES Convention, which covers trade in endangered species. Many species are not doing well because they are in high demand, and thus a law was put in place that strictly regulates trade in them: think ivory from tusks, crocodile and tiger skins, or wood from rare tree species.
Don'tbring it home
A CITES-species requires the correct documents, otherwise we simply are not allowed to accept it. We value the protection of these species, so firstly an urgent rquest: do not buy metarials of endangered species. No souvenirs, pets, alternative medicine, houseplant, etc: Nature is in bad shape and this is the easiest thing you can do to help
Ownedalready?
Of course, you may still own such an object. For example, because you find an old turtle shell, tiger skin or something in the attic of a deceased family member. This is often much older than the CITES treaty, but if you cannot prove this, legislation will not care. You then have three legal options:
Keeping it
Trade is always illegal, but possession doesn't have to be. At least: if the object can be proven to already have been in the possession of the current owner before 1947 or before the CITES rules for this species came into effect.Arranging CITES-documentation
This can be done at the Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland. Only the owner can request the documents. With the right papers, you can sell the object legally, for example to an antique dealer. Note that this procedure cannot be used to make actually illegal objects legal after all. You will have to somehow provethat that crocodile skin came from a legal nursery, or that the corset of whale baleen really is from before 1947.Submitting to the RVO
The Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland has a drop off-box where you can anonymously dispose of these types of items.
Doubts?
Are you unsure the item is from a CITES-species? Check out the CITES-species website. If you can't figure it out, our question service will be happy to take a look at some photos.
Uniquecases
Naturalis generally only includes material in the scientific collection if 1) it is provided with the correct collection data 2) fits within our collection profile and 3) is provided with the correct documentation. With very many decorative pieces and souvenirs, this is simply not the case.
In some specific cases, an object may be an addition to our collection. In that case we can ask you to transfer the object. It may then be necessary to apply for an EU-certificate for the transfer; we can only provide support in this. When in doubt, please contact collectie@naturalis.nl.