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Another dead whale has washed ashore on a British Columbia beach, the third over two weeks, but a marine wildlife expert at the scene said Friday that there’s likely no connections between the latest case to the other deaths.
The Namgis First Nation said in a statement that a resident reported finding the whale Wednesday on a beach near Port McNeill, B.C., on the northwest side of Vancouver Island.
Experts who have examined the animal have confirmed it’s a Bryde’s whale — a species rarely seen in waters north of the same latitude as Los Angeles, the statement said.
Jackie Hildering with the Marine Education and Research Society is among the researchers on-site, and said this is the only known sighting of a Bryde’s whale in B.C.
“Complete mystery,” Hildering said when asked about the whale’s possible cause of death, noting the animal did not show signs of malnutrition or being struck by a vessel. “There’s absolutely nothing grossly on the exterior of the whale to know how it ended up here (and) why it would have died.“
Fisheries and Oceans Canada said in a response that the department “will not be able to confirm causes of death until after the necropsies are performed,” and the results may not be available for up to three months.
The latest discovery comes after two dead grey whales were found on B.C. coasts this month, one in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve near Tofino and the other in Haida Gwaii near Skidegate.
Another dead grey whale was found in Saanich Inlet in March, Fisheries and Oceans Canada said.
“These three grey whales found dead along the B.C. coast since March are an upward trend from recent years,” the department’s statement said. “We cannot speculate at this time if the whale deaths are connected.”
Hildering said researchers believe the deaths of the grey whales may be the result of the animals running out of food in the Arctic, making them susceptible to starvation.
She said, however, those factors wouldn’t be connected to the cause of death for the Bryde’s whale because the species are rarely seen beyond the latitude of California.
“We certainly understand that question,” Hildering said when asked of any possible link between the death of the Bryde’s whale and the grey whales. “But here’s the annoying science answer: It’s one data point. One data point is not a trend. And we’re worried that people might couple this to the knowledge and concern about dead grey whales, but there’s not believed to be any connection.”
A blessing ceremony by the Namgis First Nation aimed at serving as “respectful foundation for the scientific work to follow” has been completed, and Chief Victor Isaac said in the statement that a necropsy of the Bryde’s whale will be done to determine the cause of death.
Isaac said the community is “deeply concerned” by the “rarity of this species appearing so far north.”
“Namgis First Nation is very sad and concerned with the climate crisis and the health of our oceans,” 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.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2025.
Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press
