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 bryde's whale skeleton lava flow galapagos islands south america marine life wildlife ocean natural history ecuador volcanic rock marine mammal cetacean fossil environment conservation coastline death young whale ecological significance research biology anatomy nature tourism exploration sky clouds geology landscape discovery habitat marine ecology endangerment preservation biodiversity science adventure shores ecosystem wildlife observation coastal region habitat loss unique site oceanography species whale bones tranquil environment