Project management, acquisition, preparation, articulation & skeleton installation
Project management
- Cetacea recognizes that each client and every project is one of a kind with specific needs and unique opportunities. Project plans and execution are thoughtfully customized to suit each client's situation with Cetacea services ranging from a consultation to joint collaboration to full project management basis. Creating skeleton displays is an enriching experience for those involved and for those who have the opportunity to engage in a Cetacea project.
Specimen acquisition
- Cetacea does not profit from the trade or sale of marine and terrestrial skeletons. Instead, Cetacea helps clients work with government agencies, offering experienced and professional service to facilitate the acquisition of skeletons for clients. Please contact Cetacea directly to learn about species by species options and to answer any questions on specimen acquisition.
Deceased juvenile humpback whale, Higgins Passage, BC
Necropsies, specimen cleaning and preparation
- Effective specimen cleaning and preparation requires expertise and various factors determine the optimal method for cleaning a skeleton. Cetacea utilizes a range of cleaning methods from maceration techniques to enzymatic cleaning, burial and solvent-cleaning.
Taking measurements during fin whale necropsy.
Humpback whale necropsy, Higgins Passage, BC
Michael cleaning flesh from humpback bones
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Michi and Mike taking humpback measurements
Monitoring progress of killer whale skull burial cleaning
Hot vapour degreasing Minke whale vertebrae
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Design and Articulation
- Articulation is a combination of science, engineering and art. Cetacea specializes in elegantly hidden internal armatures to create displays that are as dynamic as each subject is in nature. Cetacea mounts are world-renowned as some of the finest on display highlighting Cetacea's expertise in many areas including design, molding and casting, carving, painting, fine metalwork and basic engineering.
Mike drilling hanging point in blue whale skeleton with Discovery filming crew in background
Steller sea lion vertebral column
Preparing sea lion vertebrae for rib armature
Michi preparing Steller sea lion ribs for mounting
Mike welding fin whale vertebral column support
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Mike positioning blue whale chevron bone
Carving missing minke whale bones
Mike finishing dolphin articulation
Painter Joanne Thomson, hiding rib repairs
welding detail, minke whale jawbone articulation
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Installation
- Cetacea can work with your engineers or provide full services to carry out project installations.
Hanging the blue whale skull
Blue whale skeleton installation
Blue whale tail installation
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Blue whale flipper installation
Blue whale skeleton installation
Mike preparing hanging points
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Education
- Experienced interpreters can enrich each phase of a skeleton project by offering unique and rewarding educational opportunities ranging from ecological interpretation to skills workshops.
Michi and Brenda deRoos giving blue whale talk
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Mike giving killer whale talk
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