For B.C. whale coroner, Stephen Raverty, his work carries a gruesome duty to ‘revered’ animals. With humility, he performs necropsies on whales and other large marine mammals, investigating the causes of their deaths and contributing to our understanding of these majestic creatures. Despite the challenging nature of his work, the insights gained are invaluable to both animal welfare and marine conservation efforts.
The Work of a Whale Coroner
Stephen Raverty’s job as a veterinary pathologist often takes him chest deep into the innards of a humpback whale. His work involves wading through a mixture of intestines, blubber, and blood in order to determine the cause of death. Over the past 25 years, Raverty, who works for B.C.‘s Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, has performed around 2,500 necropsies on whales and other large marine mammals.
Working through the carcass of a large whale can be a challenging task, according to Raverty. Not only does it require physical strength and stability, but also a keen eye for detecting abnormalities. He recounts discovering multiple fractured vertebrae in a humpback whale, confirming that a vessel strike had caused its death. However, his work is not always without mishaps, like the time he forgot to tape down his boots which became permeated with gut contents.
Investigating Recent Whale Deaths
Recently, Raverty has been involved in the investigation of the death of a humpback believed to have been struck by a boat in Howe Sound, near Vancouver. This incident was one of a series of deaths, including a humpback found dead after a BC Ferries vessel reported striking a whale off B.C.‘s northern coast, and another found dead on Nov. 8 off Lasqueti Island.
The necropsy of the Howe Sound humpback resulted in an unpleasant surprise. Due to decomposition, the punctured carcass released a “putrid” eruption. Despite this, Raverty continues his work diligently, aware of the importance of his findings. The lesions found on the whale were consistent with a vessel strike, but he is still waiting on tests for harmful algae.
The Necropsy Process
Conducting a necropsy is a meticulous process. It starts with collecting and cataloguing visual evidence, followed by measuring the blubber thickness and characterising its colour and consistency. The internal organs are then examined, looking for potential signs of disease or trauma. Raverty’s tools include butcher’s knives and mechanical saws to cut through ribs, and the process continues in the laboratory, where collected tissue and fluid samples undergo further testing.
Although the physical work can be challenging and at times unpleasant, the knowledge gained from these investigations is invaluable. Not only does it help identify causes of death in individual whales, but it can also be used to extrapolate the health of the species at a population level. Raverty’s work plays a crucial role in understanding the threats faced by these marine mammals.
The Impact of Whale Deaths
The death of a whale can have a significant impact, not just on the individual animal, but also on the entire population. Whales are highly intelligent and charismatic animals, and their deaths often raise concerns about the health of their populations and the threats they face. The findings from Raverty’s necropsies help to inform conservation efforts and contribute to our understanding of these majestic creatures. Despite the challenges, he approaches his work on these ‘revered’ animals with a “deep appreciation of the opportunity and a degree of humility,” remaining objective in his duty.
Reference: thestar.com
