Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum (NHM) in London is a leading natural history museum and research institution. It's newsworthy due to recent record-breaking visitor numbers and involvement in repatriation requests. In 2025, the NHM became the UK's most popular attraction, drawing over 7.1 million visitors, a 13% increase attributed to renovated gardens and a new climate gallery. However, the museum is also facing calls from descendants of Zimbabwean freedom fighters to locate and return looted skulls believed to be held in its collections. Additionally, research conducted in collaboration with the NHM highlights the significant damage caused by deep-sea mining to seabed ecosystems, underscoring the museum's role in scientific research and environmental awareness. The NHM's popularity and involvement in ethical debates surrounding historical artifacts and environmental issues demonstrate its continued relevance in contemporary society.