01
Our Story
Every Skeleton Has A Story. So Does This Museum.
Most museums begin with a collection. D’ Bone Collector Museum began with a question.
Scroll
More Than Bones
How can we help people better understand the incredible animals that share our planet and the challenges they face?
For decades, that question has driven our mission to educate, inspire, and create meaningful conversations about wildlife conservation through science, storytelling, and discovery.
Today, D’ Bone Collector Museum stands as one of the Philippines’ most unique educational attractions, welcoming visitors from around the world to explore the stories hidden beneath the surface of the natural world.
But our story is about far more than bones.
It is about wildlife, conservation, education, and the belief that understanding leads to action.
A Different Kind of Museum
A Different Kind of Museum
When most people hear the word “museum,” they imagine displays, exhibits, and collections.
What they often don’t expect is the emotional connection that comes from standing face-to-face with a whale, a sea turtle, a shark, or a rare wildlife specimen and learning the story behind it.
Every specimen in our collection represents a life, a journey, and an opportunity to learn.
Some tell stories of survival. Others reveal the impact of pollution, habitat loss, and environmental change.
Together, they help us better understand the natural world and our role in protecting it.
Our mission is not simply to display specimens. Our mission is to transform curiosity into understanding and understanding into conservation.
Dr. Darrell D. Blatchley
Founder & Conservation Advocate
The Story of Our Founder
A Lifetime Devoted to Wildlife
Behind every exhibit is a story. Behind this museum is a lifetime devoted to wildlife.
Founded by naturalist and conservation advocate Dr. Darrell D. Blatchley, D’ Bone Collector Museum grew from a passion for studying wildlife and sharing that knowledge with others.
Over the years, Darrell has worked alongside researchers, conservation groups, government agencies, local communities, and educational institutions to recover, preserve, and study wildlife specimens from across the Philippines and beyond.
Through his work with marine mammals, stranded wildlife, and environmental education programs, he witnessed firsthand the challenges facing many of the species that call our oceans, forests, and ecosystems home.
Rather than allowing these stories to be forgotten, he created a place where they could continue to educate future generations.
That vision became D’ Bone Collector Museum. Today, the museum continues to serve as a bridge between science, conservation, and public awareness.
Our Collection
A Living Record of Wildlife
What began as a personal passion has grown into one of the most remarkable collections of wildlife specimens in the Philippines.
02
Sea turtles and other marine species
03
Land mammals from around the world
04
Birds, reptiles, and amphibians
05
Fossils and natural history specimens
06
Educational and scientific displays
Among our most recognised exhibits is our collection of whale and dolphin skeletons, which represents one of the most significant displays of marine mammal osteology in the region.
Each specimen contributes to a larger story about biodiversity, adaptation, survival, and conservation.
Conservation Through Education
People Protect What They Understand
At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: People protect what they understand.
That is why education remains one of the most powerful tools in conservation.
Every year, students, families, researchers, tourists, and wildlife enthusiasts visit the museum to learn about biology, ecology, anatomy, marine life, and environmental stewardship.
Through guided tours, educational programs, public outreach, and conservation storytelling, we aim to inspire visitors to see wildlife differently and recognise the important role they play in protecting our natural world.
Conservation begins with awareness. Awareness begins with education.
Mission & Vision
The Purpose Behind Every Exhibit
Our Mission
To inspire curiosity, promote environmental awareness, and support wildlife conservation through education, scientific discovery, and meaningful storytelling.
Our Vision
To become a leading centre for wildlife education and conservation in the Philippines, helping future generations understand, appreciate, and protect the natural world.
Why Our Work Matters
The Challenges Facing Wildlife Are Greater Than Ever
Plastic pollution, habitat destruction, climate change, illegal wildlife trade, and human activity continue to impact species around the world.
Many of the specimens displayed within our museum provide important insights into these challenges.
By sharing these stories, we hope to encourage informed conversations, responsible choices, and a deeper commitment to environmental stewardship.
Every visitor who walks through our doors becomes part of that mission.
A Place For Everyone
Discovery Has Many Starting Points
Whether you’re a student discovering science for the first time, a family looking for an unforgettable experience, a researcher seeking knowledge, or a traveller exploring Davao City, there is something here for you.
Students
A place to experience biology, ecology, and conservation beyond the classroom.
Families
An unforgettable visit that turns curiosity into conversation.
Researchers
A remarkable collection of specimens and conservation knowledge.
Travellers
A unique Davao City experience rooted in wildlife discovery.
D’ Bone Collector Museum is more than a collection.
It is a place of discovery. A place of learning. A place of reflection. And a place where every skeleton has a story worth telling.
Join Our Journey
Join Our Journey
Every exhibit teaches a lesson. Every story inspires action. Every visitor helps keep these stories alive.
We invite you to explore, learn, and become part of our ongoing mission to protect wildlife through education, awareness, and conservation.
Because when we understand the stories of the natural world, we become better equipped to shape its future.