‘Arroyos Whale’ at Highline College’s MaST: West Seattle links

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

As the skeleton of the ‘Arroyos Whale’ – the gray whale that died in West Seattle waters on April 14, 2010 – went on display this weekend at the Highline College Marine Science and Technology Center, the 15-mile distance between Redondo Beach and Arroyo Beach seemed to vanish. Not just because of where the whale was found; also, MaST’s executive director Dr. Kaddee Lawrence, beaming at a big turnout for Saturday’s whale debut, is a West Seattleite:

She told us another story of community ties: The West Seattle/White Center “charity beer” Whale Tail Ale was served at last weekend’s party for MaST volunteers who worked on the project, from a keg donated by Big Al Brewing. (The Arroyos Whale exhibit’s backstory was told by WSB contributor Keri DeTore in this story last month.)

The skeleton is suspended from the ceiling in the MaST building closest to Redondo Beach Drive (where, in another West Seattle echo, it is next door to the Redondo Salty’s). Look at it from the back, rather than front, and you will notice something that might startle you as it did us:

The bones from the whale’s fins are reminiscent of human hands, something not at all apparent when you view a whale either at sea or, in a sad circumstance such as this whale’s death, on land:

(April 2010 WSB photo by Tracy Record)
The Arroyos Whale is now on permanent display at MaST, which is open to the public, free, 10 am-2 pm every Saturday. But if you want to see the informational exhibit related to its death and the ensuing investigation – with not only wall displays but also a video loop of TV-news reports from April 2010 – you’ll want to get there this month or next, before another exhibit moves in. P.S. Further out on its pier, MaST also has an aquarium building, with Puget Sound sea life:

100 local species are represented in its 3,000 gallons of sea water, Dr. Lawrence told us (and unceremoniously resting on the pier outside the aquarium building, you’ll see the skull of a fin whale killed by a ship in 2004). MaST is at 28203 Redondo Beach Drive South (map).

sam-c March 4, 2012 (9:08 pm)

thank you for mentioning that on your Saturday morning preview. we really enjoyed the place, the whale, and the aquarium.

Mark March 4, 2012 (10:31 pm)

did they get the vestigial pelvis?

Fauntleroy Neighbor March 4, 2012 (10:47 pm)

We too made it down Sat. after reading about it on the blog Sat. morning. What a cool exhibit! I had no idea the Marine Science and Technology Center existed. My kids were especially intrigued with what was found in the whale’s stomach (on display). I’m going to suggest this as a school field trip at my children’s schools.

Jack March 5, 2012 (8:47 am)

Mark: Yes they did. It is hanging from the spine.

Kaddee Lawrence March 5, 2012 (8:50 am)

To Mark’s comment – Yes! We did save the vestigial pelvis, it is displayed in its anatomically correct position on the skeleton.

Cowpie March 5, 2012 (10:42 am)

Is this the whale that had the 20 plastic bags in it’s stomach? And people still won’t bring their own bags to the grocery store.

Randy Williams March 5, 2012 (3:30 pm)

When you come down to see the whale, take a look at the unique display of the trash that was found in the stomach. Very vivid as to why we have got to be much more aware of what gets into our marine environment. Come down this Saturday (3/10) and enjoy our Live Dive video program as well. See you there!