Welcome to the Faculty of Natural Sciences

Museum of Natural Sciences (Home)

Responsible: Prof. Idriz Haxhiu

Mail address: Tirana University, c/o Faculty of Natural Sciences, Museum of Natural Sciences, Tirana-Albania; tel./fax: +355.4. 229028, or +355.4.232120.

Detailed structure

Publications

The Museum of Natural Sciences (MNS)[1] was established in 1948 and is affiliated with the Institute of Sciences. Since the foundation of Tirana University in 1957, the MNS has become part of FNS. Besides the Department of Zoology; the mineralogy-paleontology part was affiliated to the Faculty of Geology and Mining. In 1996 the MNS received the status of the University Service Unit that was affiliated to the FNS.

The MNS embraces rich and interesting collection of animals, plants, minerals and palentologic findings from Albania, with Albanologic values. They host exotic collections from Asia, Africa, Latin America, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Among them, are collection of mollusks, corals, tropical butterflies and birds?

About 5.000 – 6.000 visitors of all ages frequent yearly the Museum. Pupils of elementary and middle schools from Tirana and the districts develop here special topics in Biology. Museum offers teaching possibilities for the students of biological curricula from FNS (UT), for the students from Geography (UT), from Forestry (Agricultural University of Tirana), as even for the students of biological curricula from the universities of Shkodra, Elbasani and Gjirokastra. A special pavilion dealing with environmental education is opened recently, mainly for the teachers of Biology, pupils and students.

The MNS is organized in three parts: Zoology, Botany and Geology-Mineralogy, exhibited in 14 exhibitions, composed of 105 glass shelves, with more than 3,000 specimens. Five pavilions with 100 shelves contain more than 100,000 specimens of Albanian fauna from more than 55 years of research. The most active part is the Section of Zoology, which is organized within seven pavilions.

Data on the pavilions of MNS
*Pavilions*	*No. of specimens*	*No. of species*	*Size* *(m²)*	*Volume (m³)*
Invertebrates (not including insects)	693	488	100.74	402.96
Insects	812	217	103.75	435.75
Fish	167	157	64.86	259.44
Amphibians and Reptiles	55	46	25.85	103.41
Birds 1	144	106	100.01	400.04
Birds 2	236	118	100.05	420.21
Mammals	52	44	144.9	760.73
Total	2159	1176	639	2782

MNS represents the most specialized research institution of fauna diversity in Albania, as in the inventory and monitoring activity on the Albanian fauna there are sections on Entomofauna (Insects), Herpetofauna (Amphibians and Reptiles), Ornitofauna (Birds), Mammalofauna (Mammals), Makrobenthofauna (Mollusks, Crustaceans). The current research activity focuses on taxonomic, ecological, ethological and zoogeographical issues. MNS contribution to the conservation of the country’s biodiversity is recognized by national and international forums. MNS was the major actor during the design of the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan in 1999. By the decision of the Council of Ministers[2], MNS is entitled as research institution responsible for biodiversity (fauna diversity) monitoring in Albania.

[1] Situation: In Kavaja Street, to the right, ca. 200 m before crossing ’21 Dhjetori'.