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WHALES BLOG

Roseneath’s dead Pygmy Sperm whale
So I’m at my desk when my cell rings - its Anton (you know - our Collection Manager Marine Mammals)… “Do you wanna see a dead whale?” Of course!... more>

We farewell Whales|Tohorā
On Sunday evening 11 May 2008 Te Papa closed Whales|Tohorā. Over 140,000 people had visited the exhibition. During the morning several killer whales, or orca, played... more>

Update on dissection and findings
The whale has now been completed dissected and the organs such as intestine, kidneys and heart, are being preserved in a formalin solution. the bones are being flensed ... more>

Viscera revealed
This morning the internal organs were individually explored. The blood vessels near the heart showed that this whale successfully changed from an intra uterine to extra... more>

Last day of dissection
This morning the internal organs will be removed and preserved in jars for later study. I am assured that this will reduce the smell - I have a pretty good stomach for... more>

Whales | Tohorā (exhibition now closed)

The exhibition is now closed and headed to the National Geographic Museum in the United States.

Explore the amazing world of whales, through a unique blend of science and storytelling. This exhibition draws on one of the largest whale collections in the world - at Te Papa, New Zealand. See enormous skeletons, explore whaling history, build a dolphin and more.

In this exhibition

Whale people

From legendary whale riders to whalers and scientists, meet the people whose lives are linked with whales.
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Whale lab

Whale evolution, variety, and anatomy – everything from how they move and feed to how they communicate and ‘see’ with sound.
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Strandings

Why and where do whales strand, and how do people react? You might be surprised!
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Selected highlights

Education

Teachers and parents – find whale information, an exhibition guide, and student activities for back at school.
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Evolution

Whales are mammals whose ancestors lived on land. So how did they evolve into the sea creatures of today?
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Cool Stuff

Check out our selection of videos, websites and references.
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Entry

The exhibition is now touring and headed to the United States.
Opens 15 October 2008 at the National Geographic Museum, Washington D.C.
Opens 28 February 2009 at the Exploration Place, Kansas.
More information>

This exhibition was made possible through the support of the New Zealand Government.

Whale Watch® Kaikoura Ltd

Whale Watch® Kaikoura Ltd is New Zealand's multiple-award-winning marine-based whale-watching company that operates all year round. We offer visitors an exciting up-close encounter with Kaikoura's giant sperm whales as well as other whale and dolphin species, seals, and albatrosses. For further information and to book a Whale Watch® experience, please visit www.whalewatch.co.nz or FREEPHONE: 0800 655 121 or 0800 WHALES.