A deceased four-year-old humpback whale was discovered near Keats Island in Howe Sound, prompting an investigation by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to determine the cause of death. Alex Cole, a resident of Howe Sound, learned about the deceased whale through a local Facebook group he manages. He ventured to the south side of Keats Island on Sunday morning, where he captured photographs of the whale stranded against the rocks. Cole expressed sadness at the sight, describing it as tragic to witness such a majestic creature in a vulnerable state.
The deceased whale was found in the vicinity where another humpback whale had been struck by a whale-watching vessel on October 23. Prince of Whales, the whale-watching company involved, indicated that based on the timing and location, they suspect this may be the same whale involved in the previous incident. The company conveyed deep sorrow over the news and committed to collaborating closely with the DFO as the situation unfolds.
DFO has identified the deceased humpback whale at Keats Island as BCY1464, also known as Wisp, and is actively investigating the matter. Erin Gless of the Pacific Whale Watch Association revealed that Wisp, born in 2021 to mother BCX1333 Ghost, had been feeding with another whale, BCY1463 Malachite, near the shore in Howe Sound earlier this season. Wisp had garnered significant attention and affection from the community due to its frequent sightings close to the shoreline.
Regarding a recent incident where a whale-watching vessel collided with a humpback in the area, the company clarified that the encounter was unexpected as they were not actively observing the whale at the time. Despite minimal contact during the incident, some passengers fell as the vessel abruptly halted. Medical assistance was provided to four injured passengers on Granville Island, who were later hospitalized in stable condition. Crew members witnessed the whale swimming away after the incident, and although no apparent injuries were observed, the full extent of potential harm was not visible.
Vessel strikes pose a significant threat to humpback whales, with the DFO confirming that a calf of BCX1193 Zig Zag was injured in a prior incident involving a high-speed ferry near Vancouver. As humpback whale populations grow in coastal waters, their interaction with human activities and vessel traffic escalates, increasing the risk of such collisions.