Piper’s Adventure Caught on Camera
A little more than two months have passed since the discovery of Piper’s carcass off Percé, a North Atlantic right whale who was well known to researchers of the New England Aquarium. Several chapters in this whale’s story have unfolded in succession: towing, transport, necropsy, flensing, sampling and cleaning of the bones. Dozens of hours were spent studying and recovering this whale, which belongs to an endangered population. After capturing these hours in photos and videos, the team from the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM) is now sharing this footage, especially as an acknowledgement to the much appreciated volunteers involved in the different steps. Hard work that deserves to be acknowledged!
Watch Piper’s adventure:
The GREMM also published on its Facebook page the album “Piper’s Adventure” comprising sixty photographs showing work progress, from towing to cleaning the skeleton. For the squeamish amongst you, be forewarned!
The adventure continues
In the coming weeks, the bones will be meticulously cleaned. Then, steps will need to be taken to prepare the skeleton for the winter season: constructing a shelter and storing the bones so that the skeleton will not be damaged by winter conditions. It is at the Ferme 5 étoiles that Piper will spend the next few months. Subsequently, a fundraiser will be launched to display the skeleton.
Josiane Cabana
Josiane Cabana served as Director for the Quebec Marine Mammal Emergency Response Network call centre from 2011 to 2018. When she’s not responding to cases of dead or vulnerable marine mammals, she likes to take the time to educate local residents on the threats faced by these animals. Biologist by training, she has been involved with the GREMM for more than 15 years, and always with the same undying passion!
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