Mysteries of the Deep

 

Cuvier’s beaked whales – or GiiG̱aawaay tang.G̱wan gaaxiid live in deep, remote parts of the ocean, sometimes called the midnight zone. Although they are found in nearly all oceans around the world, they are rarely seen by humans and much about their lives remains a mystery to us.

In 2015, a deceased Cuvier’s beaked whale washed ashore just south of the village SG̱ang Gwaay, in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site. The cause of the whale’s death remains unknown, although there were numerous growths in the organs and some damage to the left side of the whale’s body.

Local experts and community members travelled to SG̱ang Gwaay to perform a necropsy and collect the remains. The skeleton was sent to Cetacea Lab on Salt Spring Island. The remains were articulated into a deep dive position, which is characteristic of this whale.

At the time of the GiiG̱aawaay tang.G̱wan gaaxiid washing ashore very few locals had heard of the species. The arrival of the whale was a good reminder that there is so much that we do not know about the ocean. It also reminds us that it is our ‘Laa guu ga kanhllns - responsibility to protect marine areas for all species, even the unfamiliar or unexpected.

The whale is currently in an exhibition at the Vancouver Maritime Museum until February 2025. Look forward to news about where the whale might dive to next!

This exhibition is a partnership between the Vancouver Maritime Museum and Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Reserve and Haida Heritage Site.