Whale carcass of the baleen species is collected near Tanjong Pagar, Singapore; research initiated at the local museum
The Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum in Singapore has made a significant discovery - a baleen whale carcass, the first such specimen in a decade. The museum, located at the National University of Singapore, is the only natural history museum in the city-state.
The carcass, which was a rorqual of the Balaenoptera genus, was first discovered on September 6 and later drifted towards the Marina Bay Cruise Centre on September 12. The National Parks Board alerted the museum to the carcass, and over the next two days, the museum, along with Singapore Salvage Engineers, secured and retrieved the whale remains.
The whale measured approximately 6.3 meters in length and weighed an estimated six tonnes. However, the specimen was incomplete and in an advanced stage of decomposition, making a detailed examination challenging. Tissue samples have been collected from the carcass for genetic testing, and findings from the dissection will be released at a later date.
Dr Marcus Chua, the museum's curator of mammalia, stated that each stranding of whales in Singapore waters offers a unique opportunity to study these large marine mammals. He emphasised that the museum is committed to conducting comprehensive research on the carcass to contribute to the understanding of these fascinating creatures.
Baleen whales, part of the suborder Mysticeti, use baleen plates in their mouths to filter plankton and small fish. There are around 14 to 16 recognized species of baleen whales, including right whales, rorquals, the grey whale, and the pygmy right whale.
Whale strandings are exceedingly rare in Singapore. Prior to the current discovery, the last major record of a stranded whale in Singapore dates back to a 13.4m blue whale found near Melaka in 1892. The cause of death for the recent baleen whale is uncertain.
The director of the museum where the study is being conducted is not publicly available. Nonetheless, the discovery marks a significant milestone for the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum and the marine biology community in Singapore. The findings from the dissection are expected to provide valuable insights into the biology, behaviour, and ecology of baleen whales.
Read also:
- Trump's SNAP reductions and New York City Council's grocery delivery legislation: Problems for city residents highlighted
- Reducing dental expenses for elderlies in Sweden: Over 50% cut in charges for pensioners by the government
- Forty-year-old diet: A list of meal choices to savor
- Exiled Life's Conundrum: A Blend of Liberation, Disillusionment, and Distress
