U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Pamela Tremont, announced a significant donation from Yale University to the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on April 24. The contribution consists of 16 specimen cabinets designed to organize and protect the museum's fossil collections. This donation was facilitated by the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History with the help of Dr. Moira FitzPatrick, the museum's director, and Dr. Chris Griffin from Princeton University.
Dr. Griffin, who has been involved in uncovering Mbiresaurus fossils since 2017, participated in the event alongside Assistant Curator Michel Zondo, who showcased some of these ancient fossils.
During the handover ceremony, Ambassador Tremont expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration: “The U.S. Embassy is extremely privileged to partner with the museum and Yale University. These fossils are millions of years old...Preserving them for research, science, and future generations is in all of our interests.”
Acting Museum Director Violah Makuvaza also conveyed gratitude towards the American Embassy: “I want to extend our heartfelt thanks...They represent much more than just containers...a testament to the forward-thinking support from Yale University and the American Embassy.”
She emphasized the museum's role in education and scientific inquiry: “The museum plays a vital role in educating the public...The support from Yale University and the American Embassy speaks volumes about...the shared responsibility we have to protect and understand the world around us.”
Dr. Griffin highlighted the partnership's reliance on local expertise: “This partnership simply wouldn’t have happened without...the logistical support it provides – on top of giving the fossils we find a safe home.”
The announcement coincided with this year's U.S. Fulbright Exchange lecture at the museum featuring Dr. Jennifer Kyker from the University of Rochester discussing Zimbabwean photographer Chicago Dzviti.
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