Noyo Blue Whale Project
What is this project all about?
In 2010, a 73-foot blue whale was tragically struck by a ship off California's Mendocino coast and killed. When the whale washed ashore, the community of Fort Bragg mobilized to recover the skeleton for eventual display as the main public exhibit at the planned Noyo Center for Marine Science development. This blue whale skeleton is the perfect specimen for this location as the blue whale population off the Mendocino coast is one of the most robust in the world and these elusive giants can occasionally be seen right from shore. The exhibit will be foundational in the Noyo Center's educational programming, and it will represent Noyo's vision to link the sciences, the arts and education.
What is the current status of this project?
The bones are cleaned of all soft tissues and we are working hard to come up with a project plan and to raise funds to get the skeleton degreased. Meanwhile, a hugely successful educational program designed around the skeleton will be launching its second season in Fort Bragg, giving kids and members of the public the rare chance to get up close and personal with the largest animal on the planet.