Vancouver, Canada Wyland Whaling Wall 55

History of the Vancouver, Canada Wyland Whaling Wall 55

-Orcas A-30 Subpod

Whaling wall 55

Sometimes Wyland’s mural stand for more than just the subject of the art themselves. In the case of Orcas A-30 Subpod, this stunning mural was dedicated in the memory of Mike Biggs by Dr. John Ford at the Vancouver Aquarium. Biggs served as a revolutionary orca researcher and significantly expanded the world’s understanding of these beautiful creatures. The A-30 orca pod depicted in the mural were widely known to their native waters just off of British Columbia. When the mural was dedicated, the region was in the midst of a debate regarding the protection of marine animals, like the orcas, throughout the growth of commercial fishing and shipping traffic. As a result of access to this ongoing marine research, Wyland identified the Vancouver Aquarium to serve as the background to his tribute to endangered Pacific Northwest orcas.

While the message of conservation is clear, the Wyland Foundation has worked for years to build on this inspiration through education and action with acclaimed programs like the Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Center and the Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conversation. These two programs, to name just a few, draw attention to how the upstream actions of people affect the health of marine life. This mural in Stanley Park, beautiful and large, serves to continue this mission, highlighting art’s ability to educate the public on important topics, like marine conservation.

Did You Know?

The A-30 subpod of orcas lives alongside an orca community with around 300 individual orcas, one of the most studied populations around the globe. Two distinct orca populations call British Columbia’s coastal waters home: resident orcas, primarily fish-eaters, and transient orcas, marine mammal hunters.

While orcas are considered top predators, their populations are nevertheless vulnerable to human actions. This mural is a powerful reminder that conservation efforts, inspired by figures like Mike Biggs, can protect orcas and other beautiful creatures for years to come.

Stanley Park
Vancouver, BC, Canada
(In Memory of Mike Bigg)
175 Feet Long x 14 Feet High
Dedicated August 15th, 1994
By Dr. John Ford.

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