He began taking photographic plates of the spiral nebulae.

By his twenties, he had mastered complex photographic techniques like the collodion process, enabling him to develop large-format glass plates under harsh conditions.

Using these photos, we developed what scientists call “survivorship curves” by estimating the probability whales would disappear from the photographic record as they aged.

A decade ago phone cameras had lower resolutions and fewer photographic features.

BBC Verify studied the video and photographic evidence, counting at least 82 bodies laid out on beds or on the floor.