At first glance, it looked like a mask for a masquerade ball, so exquisitely crafted!
However, the size was just too large.
In reality, it turned out to be a huge and oddly shaped animal bone. Experts say its owner must have had quite a reputation.
The bone was found on a beach in North Carolina, USA. According to a report from the National Park Service (NPS) responsible for managing the coast, the bone is approximately 91 cm wide and 60 cm high.
Upon identification, it was determined that the bone is part of a sperm whale skull.
Sperm whales are a type of toothed whale and are considered giants of the ocean, with a maximum weight exceeding 40 tons and a length of up to 17 meters.
The initial photo lacks a clear reference point, making it difficult for many to grasp the size of a sperm whale. For perspective, you can refer to the photo of the sperm whale skull below.
Due to being a filter-feeding animal, the skull of a baleen whale is highly flexible. Its skull and lower jaw are not fused, allowing the baleen whale to open its mouth wide to take in seawater and filter out food.
This is also why only the skull, without the lower jaw, is found on beaches when whale skeletons are discovered - they are separated.
The symmetrical structure in the middle of the skull, resembling a comb, is part of the baleen plates of the baleen whale, used for filtering.
According to official reports, this skull will be preserved as a specimen for educational display in the future.
To prevent loss, the public is specifically warned: do not attempt to take the skull, as it is illegal!
Picking up bones on the beach, why is it illegal?
In 2010, two men were arrested in Australia's Mornington Peninsula for collecting dead whale bones on the beach.
They could face fines of at least $27,000 and possibly imprisonment for this act.
It was reported that staff discovered missing whale bones during patrols, leading to an investigation that revealed multiple individuals involved, with these two men being the most prolific, stealing a total of 10 bones.
Under the 1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act, anyone disturbing or possessing whales, whether dead or alive, faces charges and hefty fines.
Whale Bone
The same regulations apply in the United States. It is not allowed to scavenge and possess protected species as defined by law, including ambergris. Even whale bones cannot be collected, preserved, or sold.
The reason is quite simple.
Although not as expensive as ivory, whale bones have always been considered valuable works of art.
In the past, people used whale bones to create decorative items such as knife handles and watch dials. They also carved intricate patterns on whale bones, giving them a high economic value.
The teeth of sperm whales
Many collectors also enjoy this type of collection, leading to a high demand for whale bones in the market.
Following regulations, after the enactment of the 1972 Protection Act, it is not allowed to collect whale bones of protected species without a permit;
Moreover, there are not many whale bones that can be legally bought and sold. Those obtained before 1972 are acceptable, and those over 100 years old can be considered as antique parts.
In conclusion, the quantity of whale bones available for circulation is limited, causing prices to rise.
Based on current legal transactions, a very ordinary, unmodified whale vertebra (pre-19th century) can fetch as high as $2,800.
The concern from the management is that allowing the trade of whale bones driven by profit may lead to illegal individuals taking the opportunity to introduce illegally hunted whale bones into the legal market.
With large whales already being scarce, this would only worsen the situation, hastening their extinction.
Therefore, for any protected species, if a carcass is found, it must not be destroyed or taken possession of at will. It should be reported immediately for handling by professionals.
In general, when a stranded whale dies, local authorities usually take active measures to dispose of the body, such as detonation, dismemberment, burial, landfilling, incineration, or returning it to the sea for natural decomposition.
However, a study in 2022 suggests that scientists believe all these methods are environmentally unfriendly, and the best way to deal with stranded whale carcasses is to simply leave them be.
For example, detonation would result in a bloody mess, with a strong stench and scattered flesh; burying, landfilling, or incinerating would require costly transportation and disposal efforts; dragging back to the sea might lead to it washing back ashore.
Therefore, researchers suggest leaving the carcass in place, as decomposing bodies quickly attract scavengers, taking anywhere from a few months to several years to naturally break down without causing additional environmental harm.
Researchers emphasize that this method is only suitable for remote beach whale carcasses.
With few people around who can tolerate the stench of decaying bodies, allowing natural decomposition is the best approach.
If the local community is significantly impacted, the carcass can be relocated to a more secluded area for further decomposition.
