Author Archive: royal
Monthly Archive: December roya
Mexican Cartel lands are home to a newly described species: Goode’s Thornscrub Tortoise
![A new species of tortoise named Goode’s Thornscrub Tortoise, described today by Dr. Robert (Bob) Murphy and colleagues in the Journal ZooKeys. Photo taken in Reserva Monte Mojino, Sonora, Mexico, 24 August, 2013 Photo by Taylor Edwards A new species of tortoise named Goode’s Thornscrub Tortoise, described today by Dr. Robert (Bob) Murphy and colleagues in the Journal ZooKeys. Photo taken in Reserva Monte Mojino, Sonora, Mexico, 24 August, 2013 Photo by Taylor Edwards](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/mextortproject_aug2013_0806c-640px-wide.jpg?itok=1ACfJANu)
ROM curator of reptiles and amphibians, Dr. Bob Murphy and a team of international scientists use leading edge genetic techniques and dangerous fieldwork activities to describe a new species of tortoise in Mexico and shine light on the conservation status of other rare and threatened tortoises from the region
Valentine's Day at the ROM: Unique Painting of Lovers
![Miniature painting showing Radha and Krishna, (gouache on paper), Mughal period, India, 18th century Miniature painting showing Radha and Krishna, (gouache on paper), Mughal period, India, 18th century](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/radhakrishna.jpg?itok=-k1nLYu3)
Guest blog by Sudharshan Duraiyappah, a scholar and instruction at the University of Toronto and the ROM
A cursory glance at the 17th century Kangra painting featuring Radha and her lover Krishna, who according to Hindu mythology is considered an incarnation of the god Vishnu, might elicit a double take. This miniature painting in the ROM’s collection portrays the fair – skinned Radha in her male lover’s attire and the dark- skinned Krishna wearing his female lover’s garments.
Highlights of 2015
![Infographic displaying statistics about the ROM in 2015](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/highlights20151.jpg?itok=JXIl6ehl)
Mark Engstrom, ROM Interim Director and CEO, celebrates this year's award-winning exhibitions and research.
Padded Hangers 2.0: Revamping Storage for Fitted Jackets
The ROM recently acquired 6 fitted jackets by the designer Martin Margiela. We created additional support by adding creating padded forms for the body and arms that would fit over the polyethylene wire hangers.
Museums and Climate Change: Two Easy Steps and One Provocative Move
![#COP21 logo at the 2015 UN Climate Change Conference in Paris. Photo by @COP21 on twitter #COP21 logo in the public access area for the 2015 UN Paris Climate Change Conference](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/cop21_from_twitter.png?itok=hoNAV2Ss)
Our world leaders converged on Paris yesterday for the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework on Climate Change, or #COP21. During the opening ceremonies we heard from the top dogs, including US President Barack Obama, UK Prime Minister David Cameron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and China President Xi Jinping. None of them explicitly called out to the museums of the world, but certainly we are ALL implied in the action required to battle our rapidly changing climate.
An Important Bird Area (IBA) and an Awesome Spectacle!
![Bonaparte's Gull - just one of the thousands of Bonaparte's Gulls on the Niagara River this weekend. Bonaparte's Gull flying over the ocean](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/bogu.jpg?itok=qm1K7GE9)
Looking for a fun activity one winter weekend? Head down to Niagara Falls and be amazed by the annual gull spectacle that takes place each year along the river. As many as 100,000 gulls of up to 12 species spend December along the river between Fort Erie and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Drive the River Road and get a great look at thousands of Bonaparte’s Gulls, Ring-billed Gulls, Herring Gulls and a wonderful variety of waterfowl like Bufflehead. The river has recently been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) in Canada.
ROM wins Ontario’s Accessible Tourism Award
![Cheryl Blackman, ROM Assistant Vice President, Audience, and Heather Hiscox, CBC News anchor and Awards Gala emcee Cheryl Blackman, ROM Assistant Vice President, Audience, and Heather Hiscox, CBC News anchor and Awards Gala emcee](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/cheryl_and_heather_at_ontario_tourism_summit_2015_0.jpg?itok=To5zUuvQ)
The ROM is proud to announce that we have been honoured with Ontario’s Accessible Tourism Award at the 2015 Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence. Creating access at the ROM is a journey which our Museum has embraced, and this recognition is a great testament to our direction.
Good Over Evil: Diwali, Festival of Lights
![Diya, drawing on ipad. Source: Deepali Dewan, ROM. Illustration of a lantern.](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/diwali01.jpg?itok=OTZQI_TD)
Diwali is celebrated by over one billion Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains (and their friends!) in South Asia and among the South Asian Diaspora; it is an official holiday in: Fiji, Guyana, India, Mauritius, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Suriname, Sri Lanka, and Trinidad and Tobago! Popularly and affectionately known as the ‘festival of lights,’ at Diwali it is customary to light diyas--small lamps--before the darkness of night approaches. Brass or other beautiful lamps will be lit inside the home and placed in each room. The outside of the home is lit aglow with humble clay lamps numbering in the dozens if not hundreds to form beautiful and often elaborate patterns.
International Volunteer Managers Day: Thank You, ROM Volunteer Managers!
![ROM Volunteer helps children try on armour during March Break 2015 ROM Volunteer helps children try on armour during March Break 2015](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/rom_volunteer_march_break_2015.jpg?itok=FEonnqvf)
November 5, 2015 marks International Volunteer Managers Day, an annual opportunity to celebrate the dedicated and hardworking staff who mobilize and support volunteers around the world. This year’s theme is “Volunteer Managers: the power behind superhero volunteers.” Indeed, behind every great team of volunteers is a Manager who ensures that they reach their full potential.
Museum Monday with Melissa - November 2
![Museum Monday with Melissa](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/image001_10_0.jpg?itok=w5bs5FWJ)
It was great to see so many new and familiar faces celebrating the Day of the Dead at #FNLROM this past Friday.
There is so much to see and do this week !