Before Kiani, fellow Melbourne Zoo resident Bong Su, an Asian elephant, died in similar circumstances in 2017. But Bong Su still stands tall, thanks to the museum’s preparatory department. Dean Smith (seated) and Steve Sparrey with Bong Su, the former Melbourne Zoo resident who has been “taxidermied” for the Museum’s new gallery. The work that we do, we want it to be here for a long time,” says department manager Steve Sparrey. Along with Kiani and Bong Su, there are hundreds of other specimens from the vaults, including giraffes, jaguars, emperor penguins and dancing birds of paradise.