Yellowknife (Sep 19/03) - Do not say 'stuff it' to taxidermists Les and Greg Robertson. "We mount, we don't stuff animals," Les exclaims.

Aileen Drybones hasn't formed a friendship with a muskox -- it is one of the finished creations the taxidermist-in-training helped create. - Dorothy Westerman/NNSL

The process of turning animal hides into life-like creatures is as popular today as it was a decade ago, they say.

A urethane/styrofoam mould is created for each animal, then sculpted to fit the skin.

"Each one is different," Greg says.

Most clients who bring in skins and furs for mounting are trophy hunters from the United States, but some clients are from as far away as South America or Asia, Les says.

Favourite pet

While this is the season for caribou and muskox, both of which stand on display in the Robertsons' taxidermy shop, one customer wanted a memento of his dead Newfoundland dog.

"It was the one and only time," says Greg.

"We don't normally do pets, but this was a person who was attached to his dog and wanted to keep it forever."

Considering it to be a very difficult project, Greg said several photos of the dog were required to enable them to hand carve the body.

Features were then added and the result was a life-like reproduction of his beloved pet lying down panting.

Another challenge to their artistic skills were eight wild sheep from China and two more from Russia.

"They were shot by American sport hunters and they weren't allowed to be transported in to the U.S. so they had to be mounted here," Greg said.

Not only did the sheep get mounted, but rocks and desert terrain were added to complete the scene -- another challenge for the taxidermists.

Working with the Robertsons is trainee Aileen Drybones, who has been at the shop since February.

"I truly love it," Drybones said. "I've learned a lot."