In May, objects as diverse as a mummified cat, a porcupinefish and a Colorado potato beetle, as well as a number of other natural treasures will feature as part of a new exhibition at Tenby Museum and Art Gallery.

Stuffed, Pickled and Pinned is the culmination of three years’ work behind the scenes at 18 museums across Wales to find rare, beautiful and often unexpected natural history objects, some of which have never been seen before.

The objects, which come from local museums across Wales, will be on display at Tenby Museum until the end of May before travelling to Carmarthen Museum as part of the Linking Natural Science Collections in Wales project.

Minerals, taxidermy, fossils and insects - to name a few - have been examined and identified by experts from Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales working with local curators. They can now be enjoyed by the public and used with schools.

Sarah Daly, who managed the project, said: “Our museums house some amazing natural treasures that help us to understand the world around us and our place in it. These specimens still help us to answer vital questions in modern research. We hope this exhibition will not only show why these objects are in our local museums, but also challenge us all to think about our relationship with nature.

“With an engraved powder horn from Waterloo, a platypus from Australia, a rare aurochs bone from the Severn estuary and a turban shell from South Africa, there are some fascinating stories to tell.”

Eighteen Welsh local museums have been involved in the project which is led by the Federation of Museums and Art Galleries of Wales in partnership with Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales. It received £100,000 in funding from the museum association’s Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund. Partners also include People’s Collection Wales, who will make the exhibition available online, the Welsh Government’s Museums, Archives and Libraries Division and Cardiff University.