MUSEUM conservator of life sciences Bethany Palumbo scrubbed 100 years worth of dust from this whale’s teeth in a restoration project.
The exhibit is one of five skeletons – a dolphin, a lesser fin whale, a killer whale, a beluga whale and a bottle-nosed whale – at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.
They were lowered to the floor from where they have been displayed at the museum since the start of this year.
This took place during renovation work on the glass roof, which has closed the museum to the public.
It was the first time the skeletons have been lowered in 100 years.
Ms Palumbo, 25, said: “We have cleaned them so they will survive another 50 years on display.
“Before they were covered in dust and grease. It affected the visual aesthetics. You can see they look a lot cleaner.”
She said they have to finish before roof work is complete in six weeks. The museum is due to re-open next year.
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