Dead Minke Whale on a sandbar near New Brunswick, Canada

Oct 5, 2011

A dead minke whale that is beached on a sandbar near Kouchibouguac National Park is decomposing but it isn’t going to be removed.

The decomposing mammal is about the size of a station wagon and since it isn’t close to any beaches, the park has decided to leave it where it sits.

Park officials also say they have no plans to investigate why the whale beached at that spot.

Tonya Wimmer, the president of the Marine Animal Response Society, said she believes the decision not to investigate the death could be a mistake.

“One of the only ways we can find out about the threats that they face is by going and looking at these animals,” Wimmer said.

“So it’s actually really important that as soon as we hear about them, we go and have a look and try to get as much information as possible.”

Minkes aren’t endangered or considered an at-risk species, so Wimmer said that means there are limited resources for studying beached whales and that funds are often reserved for its less common relatives.

Wimmer said that minke whales are common in the region, but they are an unusual sight because they tend to stick to deeper water.

She said people may want to avoid getting too close to the decomposing whale.

“They don’t particularly smell that great when you get that close,” she said.

“And they’re very oily and that will stick to shoes and stuff. So that’s not a smell that you want to take home with you.”

cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick

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