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Museum Begins Dismantling Blue Whale Skeleton

KEYT Producer

Story Created: Mar 9, 2010 at 12:37 PM PDT

Story Updated: Mar 9, 2010 at 6:46 PM PDT

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History began dismantling its Blue Whale skeleton Tuesday. The popular attraction has been on display at the museum since the 1980's.

Major portions of the 72 foot skeleton, including the flippers, the ribs, and the backbone, will be trucked off to Academy Studios in Novato, CA for restoration.

The skull bones, which weigh in at 3,542 pounds, will stay. The museum plans to use set of skull bones that were taken from the first Blue Whale that washed ashore in Ventura County in 2007. Those "new" skull bones are currently being stored in Gaviota.

KEY News was there as the dismantling process began Tuesday morning. Watch KEY News at 5 and 6 for more.
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