Humpback Whale Skeleton Settled Into New Home

The humpback whale skeleton

VIP Trailer space for whale
bones, Gallants Channel 


With only 2 weeks notice, we were ready and waiting for the 37 foot humpback whale skeleton that arrived Friday October 10. Keith had miraculously cleared space for it in the 'VIP Trailer', which is our work and storage trailer across from our offices. Jeremy Winn and Becky Woodward drove the skeleton from Maine. The bones were individually wrapped and packed with padding filling their van and the boat they towed.

Bones have arrived.

While we were unloading bones, Keith and Jeremy built the cart that will hold the bones

A heavier bone carried by 4 people

Nan is putting flipper bones together 
 just to see their size (about 12 feet)

These bones are heavier than the sperm whale bones we are used to working with, and feel and smell different. We re-labeled each bone as the old labels were fading.  

Vicky and Becky are putting the vertebrae in order

Chain of Custody form required

for Marine Mammals

Ribs on their way into VIP Trailer

Bones settled into new home
in the VIP Trailer

Becky and Keith completing
Chain of Custody Forms


And, another adventure whose outcome is unknown, begins. The skeleton will be re-articulated and hung - but all the details of who and where are on hold for now.

The participants in this project were: Vicky Thayer; Dick Barmore; Keith Rittmaster; Nan Bowles; Bruce and Pudge McCutchen; Brooks; Becky Woodward and Jeremy Winn.