Discovery of dead humpback whale on B.C. beach is a rare learning opportunity, researcher says

Researchers say the sad discovery of a dead young humpback whale in southwest British Columbia can be a learning moment for people about the risks the animals face from human activity.

The carcass of the young female was found on a Malcolm Island beach onSunday.

Jackie Hilderingwith the Marine Education and Research Society,a conservation charity based in nearby Port McNeill on Vancouver Island,says the fact the body came to shore is unusual.

"The opportunity to learn from a dead whale is a rarity," Hildering said. "Dead whales usually sink to the bottom of the ocean and carry the stories of how they died with them."

While a cause of death has yet to be determined, Hildering says the whale,which had been named Spike by researchers, hadno apparent external injuriesso it wouldn't be surprisingifit had died of blunt-force trauma from being hit by a boat.

Hildering says part of her society's mission is to teach boatershow to avoid collisionswith marine mammals, and what to do if oneoccurs.

"There is a very real concern that we try to addressthe risk of collision and the risk of entanglements and how this couples with alack of understanding from the public and from boatersthinking things like, 'The whales know I'm there.' No, most often they do not," she said.

Spike's body, estimated to be 10 metres long,has been secured at the site so it doesn't float away.The carcass is now bloated due to the buildup of gases from decay.

Hildering said a cultural ceremony by representatives of theNamis First Nationwill be held, followed bya necropsy led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).

What happens to the whale following the necropsy will be determined by DFO and the Namis First Nation, Hildering said.

'It's really upsetting'

Andrew Pinch and his family discovered the whale's body when they werewalking theirdogs along the remote beach.

"It hurt because we take the kids to the beach ... and we'll see whalesvery, very often from the beach," he said. "It's really upsetting to see one dead."

Hilderingis grateful that Pinch reported the discovery promptly, allowing researchers to identify Spike and learn from her death.

"We whaled humpbacks up to 1967 and now 55 years later look at how people care about whales," she said.