At 17.1 metres in length, the skeleton is enormous. It’s from a 67.2-tonne male that was caught in 1961 near Kodiak Island, Alaska as part of the International Whaling Commission’s activities. Whether I was standing beside the skeleton, in front of it, underneath it…anywhere…the sheer bulk was overwhelming and awe-inspiring. It’s difficult to convey just how humbling the experience was.

Of course, the sad part of the experience is knowing that northern pacific right whales are in a bad way. Depending on which estimates you refer to, there are an estimated 300 to 500 of these animals alive today…not exactly a booming population. In fact, the whales are listed as Endangered by the IUCN.

I’ve spent dozens, if not hundreds, of hours with humpback whales in the water, and I’ve had a few awesome encounters with sperm whales too. But I’ve never seen a right whale in the water, and somehow, I had imagined that right whales would be smaller, which no doubt contributed to my open-mouthed, dumbstruck reaction when I saw the display.

Hopefully, I’ll have a chance to be dumbstruck and humbled by the sight of a living right whale in the water one day.