The skeleton of a 70-foot blue whale, stripped of its flesh for three years in Yaquina Bay, is finally going on display at the Hatfield Marine Science Center. This rare and awe-inspiring sight is a testament to the power of turning loss into learning. The whale's journey to this momentous occasion is a fascinating tale of perseverance and scientific curiosity.
The blue whale, a creature of the deep ocean, is a rare sight on Oregon's beaches. When this 100-ton giant washed ashore in 2015, it presented a unique opportunity for Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute to educate and inspire. The director, Lisa Ballance, envisioned a powerful impact, recalling her own encounter with a blue whale skeleton in a museum as a child. This vision became a reality after a decade of dedicated work.
However, the process of preparing the whale for display was no easy feat. The first step was to remove the flesh, a challenging task that required cutting and bundling the carcass into huge nets. After three years, marine life and seawater had done their part in cleaning the bones. But the pandemic hit, and restoration efforts were temporarily halted. Bruce Mate, the former director, retired, leaving the project in a state of limbo.
Lisa Ballance faced a daunting task: cleaning and moving the massive bones. She decided to bring in Dinosaur Valley Studios, a Canadian company specializing in reconstructing large skeletons. The team, led by Frank Hadfield, spent three years meticulously cleaning, restoring, and preserving the bones, the largest being an 18-foot lower jaw bone. They created a steel frame to display the whale in natural motion, aiming to convey a living animal in a dynamic environment.
The restoration process was intricate, involving the removal of 175 pounds of whale oil and the use of 3D printing technology to repair damaged portions. A necropsy revealed the whale's underweight condition and blunt force injuries, possibly from a ship strike. Domoic acid, a biotoxin, was also detected. The skeleton will be displayed in a cradle, allowing for easy inspection and further research.
The blue whale skeleton is more than just a display; it's a gateway to scientific discovery. Researchers at the Marine Mammal Institute will continue to study the whale's scars, scoliosis, and other intriguing findings. Frank Hadfield highlights the potential for further research, emphasizing the skeleton's educational value. Lisa Ballance agrees, emphasizing the importance of advancing knowledge about these extraordinary animals and their environments.
The blue whale skeleton's display is a testament to the power of perseverance and scientific curiosity. It will inspire visitors and students alike, offering a rare glimpse into the wonders of the natural world. As the skeleton comes to life via webcams, it will serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving and understanding our planet's extraordinary creatures.
