By Sandra Dubpernell | CPS Marine Mammal Stranding Network Coordinator
We have an update on a 2013 stranding of a fresh dead harbor porpoise which was collected from a local beach on Nov. 1, 2013. It was a 62” long adult female weighing approximately 160 lbs. A full necropsy was performed and tissues taken for histopathology. The lungs, lymph nodes and spleen showed evidence of cancer, identified as B cell lymphoma.This was the first description of lymphoma in a harbor porpoise, or in any species of porpoise.
The skeleton was flensed and frozen for possible further use. We have now found a great use for the skeleton which is presently being cleaned by the dermestid beetle colony at the Burke Museum in Seattle. Once cleaned, we plan on enlisting the Langley Whale Center Youth Groups and Central Puget Sound Marine Mammal Stranding Network volunteers to reconstruct the skeleton for display at the Center, hopefully by the end of this year.
Several new specimen additions have been made to the Langley Whale Center: a spectacular sea otter pelt, a 10’ long plate of bowhead whale baleen and a 22” long walrus “oosik”. Our Langley Whale Center is a great success and has become a real visitor attraction, even more so as we continue to expand our exhibits. It makes for a perfect partnership of Orca Network's educational efforts: the research and stranding response done by our Central Puget Sound Marine Mammal Stranding Network results in information and specimens that provide hands on educational exhibits and opportunities at the Langley Whale Center for residents, visitors, and school groups.
Thank you for your interest and support - we couldn't do it without your help!
Calls by Species to the Stranding Network 2013-2015
2013 2014 2015
Harbor seal 158 176 154
Elephant seal 1 5 4
CA sea lion 11 8 13
Steller sea lion 1 0 3
Harbor porpoise 12 17 7
Dalls porpoise 2 1 0
Gray whale 8 0 4
Orca 3 0 3
Humpback whale 1 0 5
Other 12 14 8
Total calls 209 221 201
The “other” calls can be quite amusing, for example an empty bird’s nest, a penguin on Main St, a hippopotamus, stray cat and, of course, the ubiquitous river otter.
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