PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FOLLOWING IMAGES MAY BE DISTURBING
The dissection of the killer whale finished yesterday. This killer whale was very young when it stranded and died. It was given to Te Papa by Te Runanga o Makaawhio and measured just over two metres long. Its tongue had flaps like the pygmy right whale I blogged about a while ago. The flaps mean that it was still feeding from its mother. Another clue to its age were the fins, still curled from being inside its mother.
The killer whale calf's tail fin. © Te Papa, 2010
The scientists took several samples of the whale’s organs for testing for bacteria and infections – these could indicate what caused the whale to strand. This whale had bruising injuries to its body and head, most probably from being rolled up and down the beach by the waves.
Dr Steven Raverty discusses bruising sites with Dr Ingrid Visser and Anton van Helden. © Te Papa, 2010
- Anton van Helden points to a blood clot on the whale’s head. © Te Papa, 2010
Hopefully we’ll get some images from the CT scanner to post on the blog soon. We are also taking x-rays of the whale’s flippers.
9 Comments
that is wrong and should be stop its babrbaric and unnatral these are the most beautiful creatures on earth and it completly unnessicarry to kill them
Hi Breanna
the post clearly states that this animal had stranded and died. The museum does not kill whales for scientific research.
Jane
that is the sadest thing i have ever seen its making me cry how do u sleep at night
is that slater house
You guys shouldn’t do that even though it is for reserch that is wrong they are my favorite animals and it hurts to dee those photos. Please don’t post these pics!
Wow it’s…pretty apparent that everyone who’s posted so far (other than Jane) are total idiots.
I’m guessing they took the once over on the pictures and assumed all of you to be poachers, or sick twisted scientists killing these animals for experiments. Needless to say, they’re wrong on just about every level.
OK this is not barbaric or unnatural it for science and the information will help scientist figure out how the Wales getting beached and help to stop it.She Even said the FOLLOWING IMAGES MAY BE DISTURBING so if you where disterbed by it she warnd you
Wow. Idiots. These are my favorite animals, too; however I am able to read and see that this whale was already dead.
There is nothing wrong w/ dissecting dead creatures to gain scientific knowledge.
WOW. I’m amazed that most of the commenters here lack even the most basic reading comprehension. How do YOU sleep at night? It must be painful to be that stupid.
This is a very interesting opportunity.