The Museum of Nature and Paleontology opened in 1959 at 85 Lenin Avenue, now Dostyk Avenue. According to the Decree of the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR № 44 of 29 April 1961, the official opening of the museum was timed to the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. [1]
The museum is divided into two sections: Paleontological and Zoological. Among the artefacts displayed are fossils of animals and plants, skeletons of dinosaurs, tarbosaurs and other representatives of ancient fauna, discovered as a result of excavations in Kazakhstan.[4] The zoological section of the museum demonstrates the diversity of flora and fauna of Kazakhstan, with displays of books, photographs, stuffed animals and birds, and herbaria. The halls are decorated with drawings of nature from different parts of Kazakhstan. Taxidermy displays include horses, fish, butterflies, moose, sheep, wolves and bears.[4]