Australian Museum
News Stories

Ken Coles AM was a Trustee of the Lizard Island Reef Research Foundation (LIRRF) from 1991 to 2015 and Chair from 1994 to 2012. During this time he transformed the Foundation and the Australian Museum’s Lizard Island Research Station (LIRS). Charlie Shuetrim AM writes a tribute to Ken Coles AM.

Glass jars containing translucent creatures are a common sight at any natural history museum. But the highly flammable ethanol that preserves the specimens inside must be carefully stored to prevent the collections going up in flames.

Jellyfish are expanding their range world-wide, sometimes with negative ecological and economic consequences. A recent AMRI study examined if drones could provide a more cost effective, time efficient and precise monitoring tool of the upside-down jellyfish (Cassiopea sp.).

Why are there so many species of rock-wallabies (Petrogale) in Australia? This question has puzzled and intrigued researchers for decades. Now a ground-breaking genomic study has provided some answers - and yet raised more questions.

This Waitangi Day, the Australian Museum celebrates Maori culture and artistry by looking at some of the Aotearoan objects on display.

The third annual release of FrogID data is now available to advance frog ecology and conservation in Australia.

In Part 3 of this special AM blog series, Melissa Holt outlines the treatment of two Egyptian cartonnage objects - with final before and after shots!

Insects are fragile creatures with little chance to fossilise. Where shells and bones weather the passage of time, insects crumble. But the New South Wales outback holds an amazing, and exceptional, treasure.

Burra – the AM’s upcoming, interactive children’s education space – is due to open in July 2022. Burra offers a ‘many-ways’ experience where First Nations and Pasifika knowledge systems and Western science are brought together in layers of learning.

With the help of citizen scientists, Dr Jodi Rowley and the AM Herpetology team are investigating the breadth and causes of a mass frog die-off, currently occurring on the east coast of Australia.

Australia has more described silverfish species than any other country, but even our entomologists were amazed when they discovered these species online – and were amazed at just how colourful these two new species are!

In Part 2 of this special AM blog series, Melissa Holt tells us about the treatment process for two of the Egyptian cartonnage objects which includes x-ray analysis and tear repairs!

Another ‘Australia Day’ will be celebrated by some on 26 January, and with it undoubtedly a polarising debate on Australia’s founding story.

New fossil site offers unprecedented insight into Australian landscape, approximately 15 million years ago.

Discover the Australian Museum's extraordinary achievements in the face of a testing year.