Mid-Conference Tour #1 - Tour of the SA Museum Cetacean and Skeleton Preparation Facility

Working with the skeleton of an animal that is 20m long isn't easy. The SA Museum has the largest collection of cetaceans in Australia, most of which is stored at a facility at Bolivar just to the north of Adelaide. This facility is purpose-built for large skeleton preparation, and is one of the best equipped facilities for this work in the world. The Bolivar facility includes a five tonne overhead gantry crane for moving specimens as well as six stainless steel heated macerating vats. Outside there is a 35,000 litre concrete tank big enough to hold skeletons of large whales. Up to 40 marine mammals and many other vertebrate skeletons are processed for the Museum each year.

Details: Wednesday 20th September 1:00 PM (4 hours)

Maximum capacity: 40 people 

Cost: $50