The orca known for working alongside human whalers has been given a 'lively' new exhibit that museum curators hope pays better homage to its legacy.
The famous orca has been studied around the world for his cooperation with humans when hunting. Museum visitors will see Old Tom in a "lively" new display after volunteers and experts worked to improve the exhibit.
Its skeleton has long been on display at the Eden Killer Whale Museum, but after being in the same position for nearly four decades, Old Tom required a new look."We're pulling him apart, relocating him and suspending him from the ceiling."The museum received grant funding from the Australia National Maritime Museum to undertake conservation work on Old Tom and change the display.
"We've been inspecting each bone, looking for condition issues, damage, cracks and checking the stability of some of the old repairs," she said.Ms Paterson said Old Tom was in relatively good shape, considering the bones were nearly 100 years old. "But really, the result here is about making Tom look well cared for and respecting his age and history."A huge reason behind the decision to move Old Tom to a new location within the museum was to make corrections to the display and position the skeleton in a more realistic pose.
The ribcage was also expanded to more accurately reflect its frame, and copper wiring, which can corrode or fail when a display is suspended in the air, was replaced with new wires encased with silicone tubing."Having Old Tom in a very straight pose across a mezzanine just wasn't going to cut the mustard," he said.Old Tom has had a huge influence on Eden's identity and the locals within the town.
Whale Eden Nsw Far South Coast Eden Killer Whale Museum Museum Skeleton Bones History Display Orca Killers Of Eden
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