Orca Whale Project
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Orca Whale Arrives in Cordova
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On July 11, 2000, an orca
whale beached and subsequently died in Hartney Bay, five
miles southwest of Cordova. The whale was later
identified as Eyak, a member of the transient AT1 group,
also referred to as the Prince William Sound transients.
Eyak, along with another male, were frequent visitors
of Orca Inlet and were commonly seen cruising around together.
In the days preceding
his death, Eyak and/or another orca were spotted by
various witnesses in the area, displaying peculiar behavior.
It was first reported on the 9th, that a whale was beached
on Mummy Island, but this whale was able to get back
into the water that evening. On the morning of the 11th,
Eyak was seen swimming very slowly near Orca Cannery,
three miles north of Cordova. Later that morning, another
observer saw Eyak feeding near Hartney Bay just before
he beached himself.
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When news of the stranded
whale reached the Science Center and the Forest Service,
folks went out there to help him through the tide cycle.
Wet blankets were draped over his back throughout the
afternoon. Despite everyone's efforts, he passed
away around 4:30 that day. Blubber samples were
collected for researchers at the North
Gulf Oceanic Society, for analysis of contaminant
levels and genetic research. A year later, an article
in the Anchorage
Daily News revealed probable causes of Eyak's death. |
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It was quickly decided that
the skeleton of the whale should be salvaged and re-articulated
for educational purposes. In a collaborative effort
of the PWSSC,
the Native Village of Eyak, and the USDA
Forest Service, this project has been underway ever
since. There has been a great effort by all involved
to collect and clean the bones. Once re-articulated,
Eyak's skeleton will be displayed in the Native Village
of Eyak's arts center. |
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PWSSC
Home Chronology Photos
Links
A special thanks to
OSRI and The Christensen
Fund for their financial support in this project
For more information on this project contact Allen Marquette
allen@pwssc.gen.ak.us
Phone: (907)424-5800 ext. 237
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