Davao City · Philippines

Every Skeleton
Has a Story

A whale’s final journey. A turtle that reveals the cost of plastic. Hundreds of real specimens from around the world — and the science hidden beneath the surface of each one.

Plan Your Visit → Explore the Collection
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A Collection With a Purpose

More Than a Museum. A Living Record.

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Specimens and preserved exhibits
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Whale and dolphin skeletons
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Visitors inspired each year
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Mission — conservation through education
Why Visit

What Will You Discover?

Most visitors arrive expecting to see bones. They leave with something far more valuable — a deeper understanding of the natural world, and their place within it.

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See Rare Wildlife Up Close

Stand beneath massive whale skeletons, examine intricate animal anatomy, and experience one of Southeast Asia’s most fascinating collections of wildlife specimens.

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Learn the Stories Behind the Specimens

Every exhibit has a story. Some tell tales of survival. Others reveal the effects of pollution, habitat loss, and human impact on wildlife.

03

Experience Science in a Whole New Way

Whether you’re five years old or fifty, the museum transforms complex science into engaging, memorable experiences that stay with you long after your visit.

Featured Exhibit

Meet the Giants
of the Ocean

At the heart of the museum stands a 41-foot (12.4-metre) sperm whale — the centrepiece of the largest collection of assembled whale and dolphin skeletons in the Philippines. Imagine standing face-to-face with one of the largest predators ever to live on Earth. Each specimen is a story of migration, survival, discovery, and conservation.

Explore Marine Life →
A Conservation Story

What Killed
This Whale?

It’s a simple question. But the answer affects all of us.

Many marine animals don’t die from natural causes. They die from pollution, discarded plastics, fishing waste, and environmental damage caused by human activity.

From our records · 2019

Our team recovered a young Cuvier’s beaked whale that had died of starvation and dehydration. Inside its stomach: roughly 40 kilograms (88 lbs) of plastic — shopping bags, banana-plantation sacks, and 16 rice sacks. “The most plastic we have ever seen in a whale.”

Of 61 whales and dolphins our team has recovered in a decade, 57 died from human causes.

We display these stories not to shock — but to educate. Because understanding what happened is the first step toward preventing it from happening again.

Learn About Conservation →
Explore Our Collection

Discover the Natural World

From the deepest oceans to the densest forests, our exhibits showcase the remarkable diversity of life on Earth.

Marine Life

Whales, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, rays, and other fascinating marine species.

Land Animals

Large mammals, predators, herbivores, and species from around the world.

Birds

The incredible anatomy and adaptations that allow birds to thrive in every environment.

Reptiles & Amphibians

Ancient survivors with extraordinary evolutionary stories.

Fossils & Natural History

Travel back through time and explore the origins of life on Earth.

Interactive Learning

Hands-on educational experiences designed to inspire curiosity in visitors of all ages.
Education

Learning Beyond the Classroom

What if science lessons could be experienced instead of simply read? Every year, schools, universities, and educational organisations visit to bring biology, conservation, and environmental awareness to life.

Our programs encourage students to ask questions, think critically, and develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world — from a primary-school excursion to a university field trip, tailored to your group.

Book a School Visit →
Darrell D. Blatchley
Founder, President & Curator
The Founder

A Lifetime Dedicated to Wildlife

Behind every exhibit is a story. And behind this museum is a lifetime devoted to wildlife conservation.

An American naturalist who has called Davao City home for more than 30 years, Darrell D. Blatchley opened D’ Bone Collector Museum in 2012. What began as a childhood fascination with bones has grown into the largest collection of assembled whale and dolphin skeletons in the Philippines.

Working alongside the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, conservation groups, and local communities, Darrell and his team recover, study, and preserve stranded marine mammals — turning each loss into a lesson. The result is a museum unlike any other: one that uses science and storytelling to inspire the next generation of wildlife advocates.

Our Story →
More Than a Museum Visit

Eye-Opening. Educational. Unforgettable.

For many, the museum becomes one of the most memorable experiences of their trip. Here is what that looks like.

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Families discover a new appreciation for wildlife — and children leave asking questions they’ve never asked before.

Families
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Students connect classroom lessons to the real world, seeing biology and conservation come alive in front of them.

Students & Educators
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Tourists uncover one of Davao City’s hidden gems — an experience unlike anything else in the region.

Tourists & Travellers
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Researchers gain access to a remarkable collection of specimens and a deep well of conservation knowledge.

Researchers
Plan Your Visit

Ready to Discover the Stories Hidden Beneath the Surface?

Located in the heart of Davao City, D’ Bone Collector Museum offers an unforgettable experience for families, tourists, students, educators, and wildlife enthusiasts.

  • Monday to Saturday, 10AM–5PM
  • Guided & Educational Tours
  • Family Friendly
  • School Group Packages
  • Across from Nograles Park
  • Gift Shop Available
Plan Your Visit → School Bookings
D’ Bone Collector Museum Inc.
Family Circus Compound, Barangay 76-A, Bucana · San Pedro St. Extension, Davao City 8000, Philippines
Before You Go

Every Skeleton
Has a Story

Every story has the power to educate. Every lesson has the power to inspire. Every visitor has the power to make a difference.

Join us in discovering the stories of the natural world — and helping protect the future of wildlife through education, awareness, and conservation.

Visit the Museum → Support Conservation