CSI of the Cetaceans: Hope of Solutions

An exhibition entitled, “CSI of the Cetaceans: Hope of Solutions” (http://bit.ly/2ZXqIga) was co-organized with the HK Science Museum and another CityU project team from 26 April to 29 May 2019. This exhibition was held in the Hong Kong Science Museum, and was the first cetacean-themed public special exhibition ever in HK. Such works include specimens prepared by our team from skeleton of Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins and Indo-Pacific Finless Porpoises stranded in HK waters, and how our team used advanced virtopsy and conventional necropsy evidence to help identify the threats faced by cetaceans. The exhibition also presents the 3D printed specimen of Omura’s whale skeleton, a mobile app and virtual reality (VR) games produced by CityU students under another CityU project team. The mobile app and VR games could help users identify different species of cetaceans and understand the threats the local cetaceans facing in HK waters.

During the exhibition period, 12 school tours were organized to provide in-depth interpretation of the exhibition content for these local schools. Through visiting the exhibition, the students and general public could learn more about the investigations undertaken on stranded cetaceans and the importance of virtopsy in such investigations. This event was also one of the most publicized outreach activities in the project. We received 15 local media new reports and 1 radio broadcast interview. Over 110,000 visitors enjoyed our exhibition over a 1-month time period.