The Whale Interpretive Centre (WIC) is once again open, following the devastating fire that destroyed much of the historic Telegraph Cove.
Prior to the fire, which occurred on December 31st, 2024, the WIC was home to the largest public collection of marine mammal skeletons in BC.
The registered charitable organization’s mission was, and continues to be, to educate the public about the biology of marine mammals and the threats facing their populations today.
Tragically, the fire destroyed nearly all of the skeletons, displays and other pieces the centre had amassed since opening in 2002.
“We were kind of left with nothing,” said Tyra Bain, manager of the WIC.
“We lost a large number of skeletons, unfortunately everything in the building was affected by the fire and were not recoverable.”
Among the lost pieces were the painstakingly re-articulated skeletons of a 60 foot fin whale, an adult Bigg’s killer whale, a juvenile killer whale, a juvenile humpback, a juvenile grey whale, a goose-beaked whale, an adult minke whale, a Steller’s sea lion, a harbour seal, a Pacific white-sided dolphin and more.
At the time of the fire, three skeletons—a Dall’s porpoise, Risso’s dolphin, and the only pygmy sperm whale ever recorded in BC—happened to be off site at the time, making them the foundation of the centre’s collection as they re-open.
The WIC officially re-opened on August 1st after construction was completed on the exterior of the building.
Bain says that Telegraph Cove worked diligently to not only bring the centre back from the ashes, but also to keep the building looking like the historic original that once stood in its place since the early 1920s.
“Just in April [2026] they started the Prince of Whales office and the Whale Interpretive Centre building,” Bain told Victoria Buzz.
“The exterior building looks very much the same as it did before and the footprint is the same—it was just constructed a little bit different than it was before… The exterior looks pretty much the exact same as before.”
Bain says there is no mezzanine in the new building, which is preferable as it will allow the WIC to display more whale skeletons up in the rafters.
She noted that the WIC was able to re-open because the exterior of the building is now finished, but the interior is still itself a skeleton. Work will commence through the off-season this winter and Bain is hopeful it will be completed by Spring.
On display from now until the end of the season near the end of September will be the three larger skeletons that were not in the building at the time of the blaze, plus a Bryde’s whale (pronounced BROO-dus) skeleton that was recently donated to the WIC.
Recently, the WIC has come into possession of the skeleton of a large male grey whale that was found dead near Texada Island. That is being articulated now and should be ready for next season.
Donations of skeletons and specimens have been immensely helpful as the centre tries to build up their collection. The WIC has also launched a fundraiser in an effort to have the funding to properly articulate the skeletons coming into their possession and to rebuild the interior.
This fundraiser was launched just days after the 2024 fire, and has a goal of raising $1 million. As of this publication, it has garnered just over $172,500.
For more information or to make a donation, click here.
Another way to help is by supporting one of the projects the WIC is trying to accomplish in their rebuilding effort.
Three examples of projects people can contribute to include:
- ‘Jack the Skyjack’ allows people to help the WIC raise whale skeletons into their rafters by sponsoring a scissor lift
- ‘Finishing Touches’ asks that donors sponsor the display and partition walls which will help create important space for signage and displays
- ‘Kid’s Corner’ will help bring the WIC’s Kid’s Corner back to life with tables, chairs, a storage unit and the recreation of a beautiful sign created by artist Sue Santon
Click here to find out more about the sponsor opportunities.
Aside from donations and sponsorships, Bain says the best way to support the WIC is to stop by and learn about all the unique and interesting marine mammals that call the Salish Sea home.
The WIC is hopeful the interior construction will be completed by May 1st, 2027.
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