Singapore: Sperm Whale skeleton on display in February 2016

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WHY IS THE SPERM WHALE CALLED A SPERM WHALE?

The head of the whale contains a liquid wax called spermaceti, from which the whale derives its name. Spermaceti was used in lubricants, oil lamps, and candles.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sperm_whale

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30 October 2015

Whale skeleton to go on display February 2016

One of the biggest challenges during the preservation process has been to deal with the oil in the whale’s bones. Whale bones are especially challenging, as fatty oils slowly seep out over the years.

By Dawn Karen Tan, Channel NewsAsia
POSTED: 30 Oct 2015 21:41

‏@ChannelNewsAsia

Ahoy! Sperm whale skeleton to go on display in Singapore next February http://bit.ly/1NF40Ow

SINGAPORE: The skeleton of a sperm whale that was found off the coast of Jurong Island in July will go on display at end-February next year.

“For months, we have been working to preserve the skeleton and to collect as much data as possible from the carcass and the bones are now in the final stages of degreasing!” the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum said in a post on Facebook on Friday (Oct 30).

A museum spokesperson said dealing with oil in the whale’s bones is one of the biggest challenges in the preservation process. “Cleaning and preserving old bones is an intricate task with treatment tailored to individual bones. Whale bones are especially challenging, as fatty oils slowly seep out over the years,” the spokesperson added.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/whale-skeleton-to-go-on/2228474.html?cid=TWTcna

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‏@sphasiaone

Sperm whale exhibit to be ready by end of February http://ebx.sh/1Wn9Oyh

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31 July 2015

‏@TODAYonline

Natural history museum wants to raise S$1m to preserve and display sperm whale http://tdy.sg/1gsczku

July 31, 2015

SINGAPORE — The Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum is aiming to raise S$1 million for its Singapore Whale project — the process of preserving and displaying the sperm whale that washed up near Jurong Island this month.

It announced this morning that two parties have contributed to this effort so far — its main contractor Expand Construction, and a couple in their 60s.

Expand Construction is donating S$50,000 and retired diplomat Joseph Koh and his wife are donating an undisclosed amount.

The money raised would enable the museum to develop a quality display with possibly interactive features, in addition to the whale skeleton, said Professor Rudolph Meier, deputy head of the museum.

http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/natural-history-museum-seeking-raise-1m-whale-display

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‏@TODAYonline

Dead whale could take “up to several weeks” to dissect: Museum http://tdy.sg/1eP8SEd @ChannelNewsAsia

Edric Sng

Published: 3:21 PM, July 11, 2015

SINGAPORE — It could take “up to several weeks” before the rotting carcass of the sperm whale that washed up on Singapore’s shores is fully dissected and brought indoors for further examination, staff from the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) said.

The main risk: The high likelihood of the whale’s decomposing innards exploding, said Mr Foo Maosheng, curator of the cryogenic collection at the LKCNHM.

http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/dead-whale-could-take-several-weeks-dissect-museum

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‏@TODAYonline

The dead sperm whale found near Jurong Island is now being pulled onshore http://tdy.sg/1CtefE6

… Carcass of sperm whale found near Jurong Island

July 11, 2015

SINGAPORE — The carcass of a sperm whale was discovered this morning (July 10) floating near Jurong Island — the first time the species has been sighted in Singapore. The person who had discovered it posted about it on social media. When Professor Peter Ng of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum learnt about it, he got his team to track it down and last night, the creature was brought in by a Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) boat. The dead whale — only the third sperm whale recorded in South-east Asian waters — is a notable discovery, and is of scientific and heritage value to Singapore, said Prof Ng. South-east Asian waters are not normally favoured by large whales because of shallow waters; they would normally inhabit the Java Sea, South China Sea and the oceans, he noted. The whale had multiple lesions on its body, suggesting it could have been hit by a large boat.

http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/dead-sperm-whale-found-beached-jurong-island —

Dead sperm whale found off Jurong Island, Environment News & Top…

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‏@ChannelNewsAsia

Slashes on body of the sperm whale suggest it may have been hit by a propeller http://bit.ly/1HRRb3V : @JackBoard

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‏@NewsInSG

NewsInSG: Dead sperm whale found in Singapore waters: A sperm whale has been recorded in Singapore … http://bit.ly/1UIsLh1 #Singapore