Skin Tanning And Specimen Preparation Of Large Bryde’s Whale

The Bryde’s Whale (Balaenoptera edeni) belonging to large marinemammals is mainly found in warm temperate waters in the Pacific, Atlanticand Indian oceans. Body length of adult is up to11.5-14.5m, and the bodyweight is12-20tons. The Bryde’s Whale belongs to the DD level in theIUCN Red List of endangered species, but it is less common in our countryand is the national animal protection. The Bryde’s Whale with slender andelegant body, is the ideal teaching aids of the biological and environmentalscience education, but few similar specimens in our country.Tanning technology of leather industry makes tanning agent replacethe soluble protein in the skin and become the intermediary for theconnection of structure, which increases the stability of the structure ofcollagen, the shrinkage temperature and the hydrothermal stability. Theprocess of tanning is the process of rawhide changed to leather, and thestability of the skin is improved which is not easy to shrink and deform.Strived to form realistic and pursued of authenticity and artistry coexist, modern animal specimens preparation not only focuses on the overall shapeof the specimen, and focuses on embodiment of the fine structure, whichputs forward higher requirements on the preparation process of animalspecimens, especially the preparation of the prosthesis.In this study, a large Bryde’s Whale stranded death in2009for thematerial, leather tanning technology for foundation combined with modernpreparation technology of the prosthesis, the stuffed specimens of theBryde’s Whale was prepared, for providing a new method to thepreparation of the stuffed specimens of cetaceans and hoping to raisepeople’s awareness of environmental protection and wildlife conservationawareness through the display of this specimen.1、The histological structure of the Bryde’s Whale skin was studied bythe methods of tissue sections and chloroform-methanol before preparationof the skin. The result indicated that the thickness of derma was15-35mmand thickness difference was2.3times. In addition to the tail contained afew elastic fibers, the rest of derma was constructed with collagen fiberwith the diameter of1.08±0.25μm（n=180）and arrangement of loosereticulation. Adipose filled among the collagen fibers and the skin adiposecontent in throat, chest, abdomen and tail was19.42%，29.36%，36.89%and13.06%, respectively. Significant difference (P<0.01) can be observedbetween different parts. 2、The Bryde’s Whale skin was prepared by the ordinary leathertanning process, including soaking, degreasing, liming and deliming, softenand pickling, tanning and retanning, as well as neutralization andfatliquoring. The selected various types of chemical agents and physicalapproach were commonly used in tannery, but the selection of specificchemical agents and their ratio in each process, mechanical process andprocess conditions were specially designed based on the histologicalstructure of research material. The emphasis was primarily on the removalof adipose of the whale skin, and loose of collagen fibers of throat and tail.After the validation of tissue selection and chloroform-methanol method,the skin adipose contents in chest and abdomen was decreased from29.36%and36.89%to4.04%and5.57%, and total degreasing rate was upto86.24%and84.90%. This result satisfied the degreasing requirement ofspecimens.3、The model of the Bryde’s Whale was prepared by the basic idea oflight weight and rugged, and stainless steel material. After the model wasprepared, the following operation could be carried out directly withoutturning model. This model was in full accordance with the original size ofthe Bryde’s Whale, and welded together with all stainless steel, which didnot need to fill anything, not only light weight but very sturdy structure.According to the living environment and behavioral characteristics of the Bryde’s Whale, streamlined slender body and lively swimming gesture wasdetermined. Finally, body color of the Bryde’s Whale was determined as thethroat and chest of blue black color, back and tail of yellow white color.4、After completion of the specimen, a lifelike Bryde’s Whale wouldbe displayed in front of us. Streamlined slender body, back slightly arching;slim pectoral fins open, struggling to paddle like oars; huge deep forkedcaudal fin bent downwards, gathering energy all indicated that this was avery elegant large minke whale. Ruffle-like wrinkled throat and chest,sickle-shaped tall dorsal fin, slightly open mouth portrayed the Bryde’sWhales more vividly. Yellow white throat and chest, dark blue black backand tail, showed the beautiful and pleasing to the eye of body color of theBryde’s Whale. The entire specimen looked like a deep-sea elf who justjumped out the water, and two smart eyes was flashing. Livelytemperament, elegant gesture and eye-catching body color of the Bryde’sWhale had been thoroughly performed, and the time of watching thisspecimen for us was to feel as if we were in the vast sea and could not helpbut linger. However, due to the new museum in Jing’an Temple of theShanghai Science and Technology Museum which this Bryde’s Whalespecimen would be displayed in had not been completed, the process ofinstallation of baleen and tongue, finishing of shape and so on had not beenin progress yet.