Humpback whale found dead in B.C. likely killed by vessel strike
Researchers have now completed the necropsy of a humpback whale that washed ashore earlier this week on Malcom Island, B.C., and early indications are that the mammal died after being hit by a vessel.
Paul Cottrell of Fisheries and Oceans Canada says it will likely take several weeks or months for the final results to be known, after a first examination of the whale known as Spike revealed some clues.
"With this animal one thing that stood out, there was a large blunt force trauma event on the dorsal side, suggesting a significant impact which could possibly be a vessel strike," he said. "We’ll obviously be looking into it in more detail."
(Marine Education and Research Society/Jared Towers)
Tissue samples were taken from that area of the mammal and will be reviewed by Dr. Stephen Raverty of the Marine Mammal Research Unit.
Raverty and Cottrell are currently in Boston, MA, attending the North Atlantic Right Whale Necropsy Workshop.
Cottrell says Raverty has reviewed initial photographs but will also look at samples once he returns. A final report on the death should be ready within a few months.
CULTURAL CEREMONY
Members of the ‘Namgis First Nation performed a ceremony for the whale just prior to the necropsy.
Chief Don Svanvik says the ceremony was an act of respect for the whale.
"There’s a very significant place in the stories of some of the Kwakwala Nations and it fits in within all our nations in regard to ceremony and rights and privileges," Svanvik said.
Marine Education and Research Society member Jackie Hildering says she was touched to observe the ceremony before participating in the necropsy.
Hildering says she was quite familiar with the whale through her research.
"The grounding for me, having had the privilege of being there, the grounding for me for the work I had to do afterwards to try to help reveal what killed Spike – I don’t know how I would have achieved that without having been there at the cultural ceremony," she said.
Hildering is hoping the death of the mammal will serve as a teaching moment for the public.
"Spike provided in her death a very rare opportunity to learn," she said. "To learn from the cause of death and getting people to care and understand that these are individual whales and what the threats are."
Hildering, like Cottrell, believes Spike likely died from a vessel strike.
"We really want Spike’s story to count – that every humpback is usually known, they’re neighbours. We have this second chance with them," said the researcher.
"It’s difficult to believe that this would have been anything other than the result of having been hit by a large vessel," Hildering said.
NEXT STEPS
Svanvik says discussions will now need to be had to determine what to do with the whale’s remains.
"We need to have a discussion on what we’d like to see. I know previously there have been skeletons that have been put on display and that. I don’t know if that is something we would entertain," he said.
Cottrell says if the entire skeleton isn’t obtained by the ‘Namgis, the preference would be for the remains to go back to nature.
"It’s a huge feeding opportunity. They’re really important parts of the food web, especially in the winter time of year for raptors, for coyotes, wolves, bears," said Cottrell.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.