SINGAPORE — A remarkable marine discovery has unfolded in Singapore as the carcass of a 6.3m-long baleen whale was found off Tanjong Pagar on 6 September 2024. The Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum of the National University of Singapore (NUS) is currently conducting investigations with insights from its curator of mammals, Dr Marcus Chua.
Details of the Discovery
The whale was reported to be in an advanced stage of decomposition, making the cause of its death unclear. Officers from the National Parks Board (NParks) alerted the museum researchers to the carcass. By 12 September, as preparations were ongoing, the delicate remains reportedly drifted towards the Marina Bay Cruise Centre.
To prevent the carcass from being lost to the open sea, museum staff collaborated with Singapore Salvage Engineers to secure the remains, which are now safely stored in a restricted area for further study.
Significance of the Find
This discovery is particularly poignant as it comes during the museum’s 10th anniversary year—a decade since they last studied a whale carcass found in local waters. The previous find, a sperm whale named Jubi Lee, became an iconic feature of the museum, which opened its doors in 2015.
- The sperm whale carcass was later confirmed as the first record of the species in Singapore’s territorial waters.
- The museum also pointed out an earlier historical note: in 1907, the skeleton of a 13.4m blue whale that stranded near Malacca was displayed at the Raffles Museum.
Associate Professor Darren Yeo, head of the museum, commented on the serendipity of the timing, stating, “It is moving and serendipitous that another whale carcass should arrive in our waters during our 10th anniversary.”
Future Research
The museum is currently analysing tissue samples taken from the carcass for future genetic studies. As whale encounters in Singapore’s waters are rare, each stranding is viewed as a unique research opportunity. More updates regarding the dissection process and findings will be shared in due course.
Whale enthusiasts and marine conservationists alike are hopeful that this discovery will shed light on the life of these majestic creatures and help advance understanding of marine biodiversity in the region.