Historic Collection
The Whale Interpretive Centre hosted the largest public collection of marine mammal skeletons in Western Canada.
Sadly, the collection and WIC building was lost in a fire in Telegraph Cove on New Year's Eve 2024. Below are the photos and stories of our original collection. While the skeletons have been lost, the stories and information that we learned from each individual are valuable and will not be forgotten.
Humpback whale
This 1-3 year old humpback whale died in 2012 in White Rock from starvation. He was entangled in a monofilmanent line and was unable to feed. He was towed to Telegraph Cove by Pacific Cachalot Towing, who generously donated their time and boats to the task. The bones were cleaned in nearby Bauza Cove before they were hung off the dock in Telegraph Cove to allow for microorganisms to continue the cleaning process. The skeleton was reconstructed by Cetacea Contracting and hung in the WIC in 2018. See the documentary “Reconstructing Whales” by Borrowtime Films above, which shows the multi-year process of cleaning and articulating this humpback whale skeleton!
Bigg's killer whale - Eileen
This adult male killer whale was found dead near Port Hardy in 2009. At 7.6 m and 6-7 tonnes, he truly is an incredible animal! DFO scientist Graeme Ellis identified him as T44, an individual he had contact with over 160 times in his life. The necropsy revealed stomach contents such as over 300 harbour seal claws, hair and whiskers from pinnipeds, dolphin teeth, and two elephant seal research tags that were traced to Año Nuevo, California! The skeleton was articulated by Cetacea Contracting and thanks to the generous support of Eileen Graham (whom he is named after) we were able to hang him in the WIC in the summer of 2018.
Juvenile killer whale - Stubby
This small killer whale died in 1989 near Namu, a former salmon cannery on the central coast, and was found by Dr. Dave Bain and DFO scientist Linda Nichols. Dr. Michael Bigg and Jim Borrowman ran the newly built M.V. Lukwa to Namu, placed him on the back deck of the boat, and ran back to Telegraph Cove where Dr. Bigg performed the necropsy. Stubby was articulated by Gilles Dani, a dinosaur expert from Alberta.
Steller sea lion - Stella
Stella was one of approximately 16 Steller sea lions in the WIC collection and was found floating in Blackfish Sound in 2005. He was reconstructed by a WIC employee.
Grey whale - Arnie
This young grey whale died in 2004 at about 18 months of age. He died after drowning under the Campbell River fishermen’s pier and he was towed to Telegraph Cove by the M.V. Gikumi to be cleaned. He was articulated by a team at the Whale Interpretive Centre and with the aid of Shotgun Boats of Port McNeill.
Goose beaked whale
The WIC's goose beaked whale was found by Peter Curtis on the west coast of Vancouver Island in 2013. He was brought back to Telegraph Cove by West Coast Helicopters who generously donated much of the cost, and after extensive cleaning, he was reconstructed by Cetacea Contracting and hung in the WIC in 2020.
Fin whale - Finny
This immature fin whale was struck by a cruise ship in 1999. Following cleaning, this specimen was reconstructed from 2002 to 2004 by Mike deRoos, one of the WIC’s first employees.
