Cambridge University’s Museum of Zoology is to undergo a complete redevelopment after receiving a grant of £1.8m ($3m €2.2m) from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The funding will support £4.8m ($7.9m €5.8m) plans to redevelop the Museum of Zoology with new displays showcasing the animal kingdom, as well as new stores to preserve its outstanding collections for future display and expand the museum’s learning programmes, reaching out to wider audiences and increasing online resources.

With more than four million specimens, the museum has one of the largest zoology collections of historical and scientific importance in the world and forms a major part of one of the leading international research centres for the study of animal biology.

“The museum is enthusiastically embracing this unique redevelopment opportunity to display the extraordinary richness of our collections in superb new spaces to the benefit of everyone,” said Professor Paul Brakefield, museum director.

“The creation of a new conservation campus in central Cambridge will mean that scientists and practitioners from across the university, working with NGOs, will be able to showcase the past, present and future of biodiversity on our planet.”

Work on the museum, which has closed during the redevelopment, will take approximately two years with plans to reopen in Q3 2016.