SINGAPORE, Sept 19 — Scientists are working to preserve the remains of a baleen whale that surfaced off Tanjong Pagar on September 6, in an effort to unlock clues about the rare specimen.

Marine mammal researchers told The Straits Times that the whale likely drifted in from elsewhere in the South China Sea, as Singapore’s shallow coastal waters do not sustain the dense prey shoals needed to support large whale populations.

The animal, identified as a rorqual — a family of baleen whales distinguished by their pleated throats that expand while feeding — measured about 6.3 metres. 

This group includes species such as the blue whale, the largest animal on Earth.

Marcus Chua, curator of mammals at the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, said his team began removing flesh from the carcass on September 15 to extract its skeleton.

“The next step will be the degreasing and preservation of the bones,” he told ST.

“Degreasing is important because whale bones are oily.”

Chua explained that salvaging the remains took several days as the task required detailed planning and permits. 

Determining the exact species will also take time, as the carcass was already in an advanced state of decomposition.

Dr Lindsay Porter, chair of the International Whaling Commission’s Scientific Committee, said the whale’s missing rear half did not necessarily point to cause of death, as its body could have broken apart at sea. 

She suggested the animal may have come from a Bryde’s whale population in the South China Sea, where seven other rorqual species have also been recorded.

Sightings of large whales in Singapore are extremely rare. 

Prior to this, only two baleen whales have been reported — one found dead near Pulau Bukom in 1980, and another sperm whale off Jurong Island in 2015. 

The latter, later named Jubi Lee, is now on display at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.