- Police received a report on Monday morning that a whale carcass had been found off Shelter Island in Sai Kung
- It is unclear if the dead mammal is a Bryde’s whale first spotted in Hong Kong waters on July 13 and recently seen with cuts on its back
The body of a whale has recently been found near Sai Kung; it is unclear if the dead mammal is a Bryde’s whale first spotted on July 13 and recently seen with cuts on its back. Photo: Ocean Park/ Sunny TongFishermen in Hong Kong have spotted the carcass of a whale in the city’s eastern waters, reporting to authorities that the mammal was floating belly up on the surface of the sea.
Police officers and staff from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) rushed to the scene, after the force received a report at 10.46am that a whale carcass had been found off Shelter Island in Sai Kung.
It is unclear if the dead mammal is a Bryde’s whale first spotted in Hong Kong waters on July 13 and recently seen with cuts on its back.
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The SCMP has contacted conservation authorities and the marine affairs regulator for confirmation.
The carcass was seen drifting near the island with at least two police boats guarding the area around noon.
The appearance of the whale enthralled spectators and intrigued experts trying to assess the reason for its visit.
Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki last Wednesday said he had asked police, the Marine Department and AFCD to step up patrols to protect the whale, citing wounds near its dorsal fin suspected to have been caused by a propeller.