Minke whale skeleton installed in AVC learning commons

A fully articulated 20-foot minke whale skeleton is now suspended from the ceiling in AVC’s McCain Foundation Learning Commons, much to the delight of Dr. Pierre-Yves Daoust, wildlife pathologist and professor emeritus of pathology.

The story of the skeleton goes back to 2010 when a dead minke whale was found washed up on the shore near Goose River in eastern PEI. Daoust and a team from the College’s wildlife group conducted a necropsy on the animal, after which the bones were brought to AVC with the idea that they would be saved for assembly in the future.

In 2018–2019, AVC undertook a successful campaign to raise funds to complete the preparation and assembly of the skeleton. Last fall, the bones were sent to Claude Bourque, an artist in Îles-de-la-Madeleine who has experience in preparing whale skeletons for display. Over the winter, he carefully degreased, cleaned, and assembled them for display. Earlier this week, he, assisted by fellow artist Yoanis Menge, hung the skeleton in the large, open atrium of the College’s learning commons.

The installation will be complemented by artwork with an Indigenous theme, paying tribute to the deep cultural and spiritual connection between Canada’s Indigenous people and the animals that live in the marine environment. Interpretative panels will also be installed to tell the story behind the skeleton and to provide information about minke whales.

Daoust and AVC Dean Greg Keefe believe that the skeleton speaks to the College’s focus on and work in aquatic animal species and the marine environment, and it will be an excellent educational tool.