Sustainability & Ethics

At Beautiful Remains Taxidermy, I believe that death should be treated with dignity— and that includes the way we engage with the natural world even after life has ended. My practice is rooted in deep respect for animals, environmental responsibility, and a commitment to ethical sourcing.

Ethically Sourced. Never Harmed.
Every specimen I work with is ethically sourced, meaning no animal is ever harmed, trapped, or killed for the purpose of preservation. I only accept animals that have:

  • Died of natural causes,

  • Been humanely euthanised by a registered veterinarian due to health reasons

    (with proper documentation),

  • Been provided by authorised wildlife carers, zoological institutions, or persons

    licensed to possess and transfer native species.
    This ethical foundation is not just a personal value—it's a legal requirement under my NSW Biodiversity Conservation Licence, and a responsibility I take seriously. I also ensure that clients understand their own licensing obligations before engaging my services for native specimens.
    A Low-Waste, Thoughtful Practice
    Taxidermy, when done responsibly, can be a form of sustainable preservation. Rather than discarding remains, I honour each creature by giving it a second life through careful artistry. Nothing is rushed. Every bone, feather, and form is respected as a piece of the natural world’s story.
    I take care to:

  • Use biodegradable or low-impact materials wherever possible,

  • Reuse and repurpose natural elements (such as ethically sourced mosses,

    woods, or casts),

  • Minimise waste during cleaning and preparation processes, and

  • Store and preserve remains in a way that reduces the risk of contamination,

    disease, or environmental harm.

    Respect in Every Step

    I work with animals not as objects, but as beings who once held life. Whether it’s a beloved pet or a bird found by chance, I consider my work a memorial as much as a display. Each piece is created with patience, care, and a quiet reverence for what the animal once was.

    This is not just preservation—it’s a ritual of respect. I view my practice as a bridge between science and soul, art and ecology.

    A Note on Pest Animals
    In some cases, I work with introduced or declared pest species—such as foxes, deer, rabbits, or feral cats—that have been humanely and legally culled by licensed hunters or land managers in accordance with pest control regulations. While these animals are often targeted due to the damage they cause to native ecosystems, their deaths are not taken lightly.
    Rather than letting their remains go to waste, I offer a way to honour the animal through preservation, acknowledging its life and form with care and intention. Every animal I work with—pest or not—is treated with dignity. By giving these creatures a second life as educational, artistic, or memorial specimens, I aim to bring meaning and respect to a process that might otherwise be purely destructive.
    Working with pest species allows me to practice sustainable, harm-free taxidermy, while also contributing to waste reduction and broader ecological conversations about introduced species, land management, and the value of life—even when inconvenient.

A Note on Invertebrates

Insects and other invertebrates are the quiet custodians of our ecosystems— pollinators, decomposers, and regulators of life itself. Because of their ecological importance, all invertebrates used in my work are sustainably sourced and either ethically farmed or humanely euthanised using methods that minimise stress and suffering.

I never collect wild invertebrates from delicate habitats, as even small disruptions can have significant ripple effects on biodiversity and environmental balance. By sourcing from reputable breeders and maintaining strict ethical standards, I ensure that no wild populations are harmed, and that every specimen is preserved with both a scientific respect and a conservation mindset.

Working with insects is, for me, a celebration of the overlooked and under appreciated— a way to highlight their intricate beauty without compromising the ecosystems they sustain.