Return of Neptun

3D ModelNoAI

This 3D model represents the first African elephant to live at Tiergarten Schönbrunn, where he resided from 1870 to 1883. After his death, the elephant— known as “Neptun”— was preserved by the NHM Vienna and became one of the exhibition’s highlights. A century later, in 1983, the specimen passed into private ownership. Following extensive research, Neptun was rediscovered in 2024. Although a physical return to the museum is not possible, his digital reconstruction restores his presence and reconnects him with the museum’s history.

An extensive documentation of Neptun’s history will be published in the “Annals of the Natural History Museum Vienna”. (https://anhmw.pensoft.net/)

We extend our sincere thanks to the owners, who made the digitization of this remarkable historical specimen possible.

Owned by private collector known to the NHMW.

More about the NHMW here.

Text by Stefanie Jovanovic-Kruspel and Mario Riedl.

Scanned & edited by Viola Winkler (NHMW)

Scanner: Artec Leo