Humpback Whale Carcass Towed Off B.C. Beach, The carcass of a beached humpback whale has been towed off a White Rock, B.C., beach with the help of a high tide. The emaciated remains are now anchored off the beach, south of Vancouver, while marine biologists decide what to do with the young whale, which died Tuesday after beaching itself while wrapped in fishing line.

Efforts are now underway to identify the gear, in hopes of determining where and when the roughly three-year-old whale became entangled.

Vancouver Aquarium staff have also taken various samples from the remains to check for other causes of death, but say the whale’s condition suggests it starved after being tangled for some time.

The severely emaciated young whale was first spotted as water receded from the sandy, tidal flats early Tuesday morning.


Department of Fisheries and Oceans marine mammal co-ordinator Paul Cottrell said the eight- to 10-metre long juvenile died just hours after beaching itself.

“It had been struggling for a long time and likely hadn’t been eating for a long time,” he said.