This 22yo Malaysian Found Beauty In Taxidermy Despite Being Called A Psychopath

Not every hobby is universally understood. While most people think of activities like crocheting, drawing, or reading when they hear the word 'hobby', some passions are far more niche and often misunderstood.

For one Malaysian, her hobby has sparked negative reactions from the public, to the point that she has been called a psychopath. Despite that, it has never dulled her passion for taxidermy.

Batrisyia Bahruddin, 22, developed an interest in animal specimens when she was just a young girl. In an interview with Harian Metro, she revealed how she grew up in an environment that brought her close to the world of preserved animals and specimen collections.

"My late grandfather was a hunter, while my uncle used to work at an African embassy. He would receive gifts such as carved elephant ivory and antelope horns."

"Since I was a child, I have been interested in seeing taxidermy products in museums, especially those displayed in the form of dioramas because it is like freezing a moment in the animal's life forever," she said.

Philosophy behind the art of taxidermy

Although many may associate preserved animals with something strange or unsettling, Batrisyia saw beyond the surface and was drawn to the deeper meaning behind the art of taxidermy.

Image Credit: Harian Metro

"I see beauty behind death; everything that lives will die. So, for me, taxidermy is a way to honour an animal after its death. I want them to continue to look as magnificent as they did in the final moments before they died."

Batrisyia, who is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), added that taxidermy is more than just preserving animals. Rather, it is a field that requires both technical and artistic skills.

"We need to understand animal anatomy, colour theory, and how colours appear on different textures of fur or feathers, as well as how they fade over time. At the same time, we also need to take into account the mixture of chemicals and preservative compounds used, as each species requires different techniques."

"That is one of the reasons why I'm fascinated by the field, as it allows me to be analytical and creative at the same time," she said.

It was not an easy hobby to pursue

While some hobbies are straightforward to pursue, taxidermy can be a challenging hobby, especially in Malaysia. For Batrisyia, one of the main challenges comes from obtaining suitable specimens and equipment.

So far, Batrisyia has more than 10 preserved animal specimens in her collection, including pigeons, bulbul birds, water monitor lizard skin, desert lizards, and tropical birdwing butterflies. She also boasts a collection of animal bones and feathers from animals such as crows and lizards.

"I only use ethically sourced specimens, and I do not buy or hunt animals. Most of my specimens were given to me by acquaintances who knew I practised taxidermy, or were specimens I found during forest expeditions, as well as roadkill that was still in good condition," she shared.

Image for illustrative purposes only
Image Credit: FMT

Batrisyia shared that she learned almost all of her taxidermy techniques on her own through reading, browsing internet forums, and joining online communities.

"Taxidermy requires extensive research, and there aren't many instructional videos for beginners on YouTube, as many taxidermists are reluctant to share their process. Internet forums like Reddit have helped me a lot, as many experienced taxidermists share tips and advice with beginners."

More than just a hobby

Batrisyia admitted that her hobby has attracted negative criticism from society. Many have called her weird or eccentric for choosing taxidermy as a hobby. However, she also shared that there are people who are impressed by her work.

"I've been called weird and a psychopath for taking up taxidermy as a hobby, but I don't care because I've grown accustomed to being considered the 'weird kid' since I was young."

"Although many people think I'm strange, many are impressed by my work, and that certainly makes me quite happy," she said.

For Batrisyia, her passion for taxidermy is more than just a niche hobby. Instead, she sees it as an art form that embodies an appreciation for animal life.

Featured Image Credit: Harian Metro, Whatcom Museum