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Northern resident orca
​at AERL

Picture

Diving killer whale
Vancouver, B.C.


The skeleton of this northern resident (salmon-eating) orca, A57, was found in Frolander Bay, B.C. in 1996.  A57 was a fully mature female who was born with a jaw deformity and elongation causing misalignment and wearing of her teeth which eventually led to a tooth infection and eventual mortality.  It has been speculated that, as first-born calf, a high load of environmental toxins in her mother's milk may have been the cause of her untimely death.

A57 has been captured in a powerful tail-thrust as she dives aggressively with open jaws toward her prey.  Minor damage to the skeleton has been repaired, with the exception of the substantial wearing of her teeth shown in her replicated set.  She is suspended by thin stainless cables with an entirely internal steel armature, hidden by bone and artistically represented cartilage.
 A57 is displayed within UBC's Marine Mammal Skeleton Project collection.

Picture
Skeletons > Orca

Website by Derek Tan and Michi Main; photographs by Derek Tan and Mike deRoos

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  • Cetacea
  • Exhibits
    • WAM blue whale
    • Kwentens ?e te sinkwu
    • Burke Museum Baird's beaked whale
    • UBC Blue whale
    • Pacific white-sided dolphins
    • Roaring steller sea lion
    • Swimming steller sea lion
    • Minke whale
    • Northern resident orca, A57
    • Gray Whale
    • Gulf of Alaska Biggs Orca
    • Prehistoric Elasmosaur replica
    • Other exhibits
  • Services
    • Skeleton services
    • Portable hot vapour degreasing
    • Other services
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Get Involved
    • UBC Marine Mammal Skeleton Project
    • Noyo Blue Whale Project
    • Supporters
  • Media
    • Blog