Top 10 events at the Museum news from 2011

From exhibition openings and the Museum's first book for ipad, to a new Museum director and the theft of replica rhino horns, here are the top 10 most popular news stories about events at the Natural History Museum from our website in 2011.

1. Sexual Nature exhibition has celebrity attraction, February

The top news story was about the preview event for the Museum's exhibition Sexual Nature attended by celebrities including Gavin and Stacey’s Mathew Horne.

The 110-carat Cora Sun-Drop diamond was on display at the Museum's Vault in Feb 11

2. Age of the Dinosaur exhibition opens, April

The 2nd most popular story was the exhibition preview for Age of the Dinosaur with Bill Bailey. The animatronic dinosaurs arrived after a 6-week journey from Japan.

3. World's largest yellow pear-shape diamond dazzles, February

Jerry Hall unveils the 110-carat Cora Sun-Drop diamond on display in the Museum's Vault in the 3rd favourite article and video. The diamond has moved to another venue but the Vault is still full of spectacular treasures.

4. Winning wildlife photos 2011 announced, October

Forth most popular was the announcement of the winning photos from the Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. Also in the top 10 was the sneak preview.

Pink flamingo artwork from Audubon's The Birds of America

5. Look out for 6 minibeasts in the OPAL Bugs Count, June

The 5th most popular story asked people to look out for 6 minibeasts as part of OPAL Bugs Count led by the Museum. The devil’s coach horse, a leopard slug and more were on the list.

6. Museum appoints new Director of Science, June 

The Museum welcomed Professor Ian Owens as the new Director of Science in this 6th most popular story. He took over from Professor Richard Lane and was the Head of the Department of Life Sciences at  Imperial College London.

7. Museum's first book for ipad, Birds of America, September

The 7th favourite story was about the 1-metre-tall 19th-century book by Audubon. It is one of the most valuable natural history books ever published and is Museum's first book for iPad.

8. Lost photos of Captain Scott revealed in new book, October

The 8th story was about a new book by David M Wilson that revealed unseen photos taken by Scott himself.

White rhino specimen at Tring that had its lower replica horn stolen

9. Indian Ocean Tsunami Memorial opens at Museum, July

The number 9 story was about the opening of a memorial to the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami at the Museum.

10. Theft of replica rhino horns at Natural History Museum at Tring, August

Last on this list was the sad news that thieves broke in to the Museum at Tring and stole 2 replica rhino horns. The real horns had been replaced after a spate of break-ins at museums and other institutions across Europe.

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