A humpback whale, aged four, has been discovered deceased close to Keats Island within Howe Sound, prompting an investigation by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to ascertain the cause of death. Alex Cole, a resident of Howe Sound, learned about the deceased whale through a local Facebook group he manages on Saturday night. Subsequently, he navigated his boat to the southern side of Keats Island on Sunday morning and captured images of the deceased whale positioned against the rocks. Describing the sight as sorrowful and tragic, Cole expressed his sentiments, stating, “It’s obviously sad, a very sad and tragic thing to see a big beautiful whale… in that sort of vulnerable position.”
The deceased whale was found in the same vicinity where a humpback whale had collided with a whale-watching vessel on October 23. A statement from the whale-watching company, Prince of Whales, mentioned that based on the timing and location, it is believed that this could be the same whale involved in the recent collision. The company expressed deep distress over the news and assured continued cooperation and communication with DFO as the situation unfolds. The statement also emphasized the potential risks of such incidents, highlighting that even vessels manned by professionals actively seeking whales could encounter such events, underscoring the need for vigilance.
DFO identified the deceased humpback whale discovered at Keats Island as BCY1464, known as Wisp, and confirmed an ongoing investigation into the matter. A spokesperson from DFO referred to the incident as unfortunate, emphasizing efforts to gain a better understanding of the circumstances. Erin Gless from the Pacific Whale Watch Association disclosed that Wisp, also known as BCY1464, was born in 2021 to mother BCX1333 Ghost. Wisp and another whale, BCY1463 Malachite, had spent a considerable period feeding together earlier in the season in Howe Sound, in close proximity to the shore.
Cole mentioned that Wisp had garnered a devoted following during the summer as numerous individuals kept sighting the whale near the shoreline. Describing Wisp as a beloved whale, Cole shared sentiments of affection towards the marine creature. The company involved in the recent incident clarified that the whale was not actively being observed at the time of the collision, characterizing the encounter as unexpected when the whale suddenly emerged to the surface. Although the vessel managed to halt promptly, minimal contact was made with the whale during the maneuver.
Following the incident, emergency medical treatment was administered to four passengers on Granville Island by B.C. Emergency Health Services, who were then transported to the hospital in stable condition. Remarkably, one of the crew members witnessed the whale resurfacing and swimming away post-collision. Despite no apparent injuries being noticed on the whale during its departure, the company emphasized that not all parts of the whale were visible at the time. DFO, however, had not yet confirmed the identity of the whale subsequent to the vessel strike.
In a separate incident on October 17, a high-speed ferry collided with a humpback whale in English Bay near Vancouver. DFO confirmed that the injured whale was the calf of BCX1193 Zig Zag, exhibiting a deep gash near its dorsal fin. Vessel strikes were highlighted as a significant threat to humpback whales, with the increasing numbers of humpback whales in coastal waters leading to heightened interactions and potential risks from vessel traffic.