Baleen whale skeleton, most likely a young Bryde's whale, on lava flow in the Galapagos Island Archipelago, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ecuador, South America

baleen whale skeleton bryde's whale lava flow galapagos islands nature marine life wildlife ancient rock geology ocean biodiversity conservation environment death young whale ecosystem paleontology research education heritage coastal marine ecosystems natural history wildlife discovery skeleton analysis ecological importance whale anatomy volcanic landscape sea biodiversity hotspot extinction endangered species exploration natural phenomenon species identification habitat ecological studies marine conservation biological research oceanography unique location marine biology wildlife preservation ecological balance natural habitat species preservation awareness environmental impact