Much of the collection is donations that the school has received over the years.

Some have known origins.

Others, like the sturgeon, have a darker background.

- It must come from Russia, says biology teacher Anders Eriksson.

- Well, I've just been denied that, counters Joel Nordkvist, who is a municipal politician for the Moderates.

He is the one who fished the giant fish out of the shelf pond.

Used in teaching

If Joel rummages in the hiding places out of pure interest, Anders has a more practical use for the collections.

- There are species here that are basically extinct and when we read about evolution, I can show different steps it has taken.

It's actually quite fantastic, notes Anders Eriksson.

It is a monumental collection that the school has acquired over the years.

The oldest objects are over 100 years old.

For long periods, the stuff has been standing and collecting dust.

But now, among other things, Anders has included them in the teaching.

Great collection

But the question is whether the collection is not worthy of its own exhibition for the public.

It is the largest of its kind in Norrland and in the whole country it is surpassed only by the Museum of Natural History.

A given audience success.

Because who can resist an albino beaver, kittens that have become Siamese twins or a tiny pinworm?