Marine company attempts to recover humpback whale carcass off Halifax – Halifax

Members of a marine animal group attempt to recover the carcass of a humpback whale in Halifax Harbor to find out why the animal died.

The Marine Animal Response Society (MARS), a group that responds to incidents of dead and distressed marine animals in the Maritime provinces, said it was contacted Thursday evening about the floating whale.

A sailor had spotted the carcass – a small humpback male – in the outer approaches to Halifax Harbour.

« We were very lucky to get in the water on Friday morning with the help of the sailor who first reported it to get a first look at the animal and collect samples, » MARS said in a post. on social networks.

“Throughout the day, we worked closely with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and other partners to try to find a place to bring the animal ashore for an autopsy. Unfortunately this could not be arranged before the tide went out and the animal drifted away.

The group does not know why the animal died, which is why they would like to find it and perform an autopsy.

The animal was last seen near Lawlor Island near the mouth of Halifax Harbor in the Eastern Passage. Anyone who may have seen the whale is asked to contact the MARS hotline at 1-866-567-6277.

0:30
Video shows humpback whale tail making contact with tour boat off the coast of Nova Scotia