Peter
Resurrection-men from several Tasmanian government departments have been removing and storing anything of value from the many whales that run aground and die on the state’s coast. Valuable parts of whales include ambergris, teeth and jawbones.
Teeth from a sperm whale can earn hundreds of thousands of dollars on the black market, according to a news report from Oregon.
The teeth, known as sea ivory, were once the raw material for ornamental carvings and for the traditional seafaring art of scrimshaw – tooth engraving.
The most recent mass death in Tasmania was of 48 sperm whales near Smithton, the last of which died on 25 January 2009.
Department of Body Snatchers
THOSE who practised body-snatching or grave robbing were often called resurrectionists or resurrection-men.
Resurrection-men from several Tasmanian government departments have been removing and storing anything of value from the many whales that run aground and die on the state’s coast. Valuable parts of whales include ambergris, teeth and jawbones.
Teeth from a sperm whale can earn hundreds of thousands of dollars on the black market, according to a news report from Oregon.
The teeth, known as sea ivory, were once the raw material for ornamental carvings and for the traditional seafaring art of scrimshaw – tooth engraving.
The most recent mass death in Tasmania was of 48 sperm whales near Smithton, the last of which died on 25 January 2009.
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society lashed Tasmanian authorities for refusing to let its volunteers help in the rescue effort.
Sea Shepherd leader Paul Watson, speaking via satellite phone from the Southern Ocean, criticised the move by the Parks and Wildlife Service to block three of his volunteers from helping.
“I think that wildlife services for the most part is a pain in the rear,” Mr Watson said.
But Department of Primary Industries and Water spokesman Warwick Brennan defended the handling of the rescue saying the whales’ survival chances would not have been boosted by extra help.
“We have people trained around the state to deal with whale rescue,” Mr Brennan said.
He said only experienced personnel with proper equipment were needed.
Peter
Man caught trying to steal teeth of beached whale on Oregon Coast
http://www.nwcn.com/statenews/oregon/stories/NW_010208ORN_whale_teeth_stolen_LJ.1b21b2c.html
Last stranded whale dies in Tasmania – January 25, 2009
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/last-stranded-whale-dies-in-tasmania-20090125-7pav.html
