Many residents speculated that the dead mammal was the same whale that has been attracting groups of onlookers since it was first spotted in the city’s waters in mid-July.
Compass Chan, a scientist at Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong, did not confirm whether it was the same whale. But he said an initial search of the body found a new wound on his back, in addition to two old injuries.
“It’s a shame,” Chan said at a news conference. “I think it’s a good opportunity for everyone to seriously think about how we should get along with other species in the wild.”
The cause of the whale’s death will be confirmed by a necropsy, the scientist said.
The body was found in the waters of Sai Kung, a district known for its hiking trails, beaches and islands. Many residents blamed the death on the onlookers who have flocked to those waters since a whale was sighted there about two weeks ago. Some posted a pop song whose title translates as “Whale Eater.”
The foundation issued a statement last week saying crowds of people had been seen approaching the animal, believed to be a Bryde’s whale about 7 meters (23 feet) long. The foundation said at the time that the whale had fin injuries and that nearby human activity could cause stress and potentially life-threatening consequences.
The government announced late Monday that the necropsy could take several days and that its results could help shape future policy on how to deal with whales in Hong Kong waters.
FOUNTAIN: Associated Press
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