Rahul Somvanshi
A rare Bryde’s whale washed up dead on a beach near Port McNeill on northern Vancouver Island this Wednesday, marking the first-ever sighting of this tropical species in British Columbia waters. The discovery has sparked interest from marine experts who typically find these whales no further north than Los Angeles.
The young male Bryde’s whale, measuring just over seven meters in length, was found by a local resident walking their dog in Port McNeill Bay. Initially thought to be a more common minke whale, experts identified it as a Bryde’s whale by the three distinctive parallel ridges on its upper jaw – a unique feature of the species.
“This is the only Bryde’s whale that has ever been seen in British Columbia waters, with all the collective knowledge through First Nations, DFO,” says Jackie Hildering from the Marine Education and Research Society. She notes that while external examination showed no obvious signs of a vessel strike, the cause of death remains unknown.
The discovery comes at a time when two other whales – both grey whales – were found dead on BC’s coast this month. One washed up near Tofino and another in Haida Gwaii near Skidegate. However, marine experts believe these deaths are likely unrelated to the Bryde’s whale case.
The ‘Namgis First Nation, whose territory includes the stranding site, has taken an active role in the response. “Namgis First Nation is very sad and concerned with the climate crisis and the health of our oceans,” Chief Victor Isaac said. “We will work with all parties to determine what has happened to this individual and hopefully come to better understand how to be the best stewards of our awi’nakola – our environment.”
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Scientists from Fisheries and Oceans Canada conducted a detailed necropsy on Friday to determine what caused the whale’s death. Paul Cottrell, DFO’s marine mammal coordinator, sees this rare event as an opportunity to learn more about these elusive creatures. The results from various lab tests could take several months to complete.
The whale’s remains will find a permanent home at the Whale Interpretive Centre in Telegraph Cove, a decision supported by the ‘Namgis First Nation. This will allow researchers and the public to learn from this unprecedented visitor to BC waters.
The closest previous sighting of a Bryde’s whale to British Columbia occurred in Puget Sound, Washington, in 2010, where two of these tropical whales were documented – both of which died in those waters.
Marine researchers emphasize that while this single stranding doesn’t establish a pattern, it adds to our understanding of whale movements along the Pacific coast. The presence of this warm-water species so far north has raised questions about changing ocean conditions and their impact on marine life.
