BHUBANESWAR: An eight-member team has begun working on restoration of the skeletal remains of the 31-feet Sperm Whale which washed ashore the Keluni beach near Puri's Astarang more than a week back.
Led by zoologist Siba Prasad Parida, who specialises in preservation of animal skeletons at the Regional Museum of Natural History (RMNH) here, the team is busy removing mounds of flesh from the dead mammal.
It would take about a week to completely strip the toothed predator to its bones.
"It is a rare whale and may take about six to eight months before the skeleton is ready for the exhibit at the RMNH," Parida said. Currently, the museum has a Balinese Whale.
The team, which comprises RMNH's senior scientist GN Indresh, also has researchers to help Parida in carrying out the arduous job which involves braving the stench and thousands of maggots which feed on the carcass.
