Welcome to the Charles Tanner Gallery

The Charles Tanner Gallery displays a wide selection of the intriguing animals of Cape York Peninsula. Many of these animals are found nowhere else.

Photo: Bev Boucher

Charlie Tanner lived on a farm near Cooktown for many years. He kept a large collection of live venomous snakes and a number of crocodiles. He milked the snakes for their venom which was sold to laboratories for the production of anti-venom. Charlie travelled all over Australia collecting snakes and reptiles, both for museums and for his own work. His research efforts are recognised in the the Latin names of two reptile species Pseudonaja affinis tanneri (Tanner's Brown Snake) and Lygisaurus tanneri (Tanner's Skink).

A man who strove always to protect wildlife, Charlie died in 1996 and left funds to be used to promote the understanding, appreciation and conservation of wildlife especially the reptiles that were his life's passion.

Charlie is shown here on the day his last crocodile was taken away. He was upset and worried as it was being placed into a box that was too small for it.

A beautiful full colour field guide to the region published by the Queensland Museum, Wildlife of Tropical North Queensland, is available at Nature's Powerhouse Bookstore and Gift Shop.