A polar bear, a blue fox and a honey badger are all up for grabs in Dunedin this weekend at an auction of taxidermied animals.
Stuffed animal collectors are an eclectic group – young and old, male and female – says third-generation auctioneer Ronnie Proctor.
Over 40 years selling antiques, Proctor has seen a few interesting things come and go.
Recently, taxidermied animals have become increasingly popular – this is the fourth time in the last two years Proctor Auctions has sold a collection of them.
During lockdown, the auction house developed an app that has enabled them to sell nationwide and internationally, he says.
The 6.5 Alaskan polar bear for sale this Sunday is the third they've sold – the last one fetching $40,000.
Proctor's first stuffed polar bear came to them from the Dunedin living room of an elderly gentleman who'd shot it himself around 70 years ago, Proctor says.
"It's amazing to know these kinds of things are sitting in people's houses."
Proctor Auctions are able to sell taxidermied animals that are certified to have been brought into New Zealand legally but native species can be problematic.
The current auction originally included an egg the seller had presented to the auction house as a kiwi egg but after concern from the public, it was eventually uplifted by DOC and revealed to be from a black swan.
Proctors were fined for this infringement but all other items in the sale have valid paperwork, a DOC representative told Stuff.
Proctors Quality Taxidermy Auction will take place at 11am on Sunday 27 June.
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