Whale carcass found in eastern Hong Kong waters to be buried but authorities plan to retrieve skeleton for research later
- Experts have conducted a necropsy on carcass of the eight-metre Bryde’s whale and further analysis of tissue samples is under way, government says
- Carcass will be buried at a site at High Island Reservoir’s west dam on Monday
The carcass of a whale found in Hong Kong’s eastern waters will be buried on Monday but its skeleton will be used for research purposes later, the government has revealed.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department on Sunday said it worked with experts from Ocean Park and City University to conduct a necropsy on the carcass of the eight-metre Bryde’s whale and further analysis of tissue samples was under way.
The whale was first spotted swimming and feeding in Sai Kung waters on July 13, sparking huge interest among residents, with many heading out in boats to catch a glimpse of the animal.
But a whale carcass, believed to be the same mammal, was found last Monday with a fresh wound near its dorsal fin and parts of its organs and muscle tissue protruding. It was earlier seen with two wounds on its back, suspected to have been caused by propellers.
The carcass was removed from the sea and taken to a site at the High Island Reservoir’s west dam.
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The department said that after consulting experts and evaluating options of handling the carcass, it had decided to bury the whale at a spot near the dam.
“Proper procedures will be taken to ensure the whole process is in line with hygiene and disinfection requirements as well as environment protection principles,” a spokesman said.
After natural decay, the carcass would be sent to Ocean Park for research purposes, the department added.
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Whale found dead in Hong Kong’s Sai Kung waters after rare sightings
Department staff will enter the area on Monday to investigate further and start burial procedures, during which machines and chemicals would be used.
It said it hoped the whale skeleton could eventually be turned into a specimen for education and conservation purposes.
Meanwhile, it urged the public not to approach the site.
Experts have urged authorities to increase patrols and create no-go zones to protect the thousands of species found in the city’s waters, after the flurry of whale-watching activities prompted by the whale sightings sparked criticism.
Marine biologist Taison Chang Kai-tai, chairman of the Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society, said decomposition of the whale could take months, depending on the temperature, weather and soil conditions.
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Burial on-site, which would eliminate transport issues, was a practice seen abroad, he noted.
Chang said there was a high chance of retrieving an intact skeleton for use as a specimen. It might take about two years before the specimen could be displayed, he said.
