Last Full-Time Museum Taxidermist in US Works at LA Natural History Museum

At 72 years old, Tim Bovard holds the distinction of being the only full-time taxidermist in any museum across the United States, having been employed at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County since 1984. His journey into taxidermy began at the age of 11 when he preserved a roadkill skunk in Claremont, California, guided by an instructional manual. With a lineage of scientists and outdoorsmen in his family, local residents often brought him injured or abandoned wildlife. By his teenage years, he was adept at sewing, leather tanning, and exploring the Sierras dressed in buckskin. He completed an apprenticeship with a local taxidermist during high school and continued working for him throughout college. At the museum, he is responsible for maintaining historical animal mounts, refurbishing dioramas, and creating new exhibits. Bovard resides in Claremont with his wife, two dogs, and ten and a half cats, rising at 4:30 a.m. for his daily commute.