An aerial photograph taken of the suspected whale that was spotted in Hong Kong waters on Monday show that the mammal has several head injuries. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, along with the Marine Police, has been patrolling the areas where the whale was sighted in the hopes of ensuring that the public does not get too close to it.
The cetacean, which is likely a pygmy sperm whale according to the Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society, was first spotted in Deep Water Bay on Monday morning and at Sham Shui Kok on the evening of the same day.
The latest picture of the whale was taken on Tuesday and reveals a number of wounds on its dorsal side, calling to mind the images of the Bryde’s whale that was in SAR waters in mid-July. Before the whale was found floating motionlessly in the vicinity of Sai Kung in early August, photographs taken of the mammal showed scarring from suspected propeller injuries.
Authorities urge the public not to approach the whale and to keep at least a 100-metre distance from the mammal if they come across it. The Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society says that, unlike some other whales and dolphins, pygmy sperm whales do not chase waves created by boats.
Last month, the carcass of a finless porpoise was found in Victoria Harbour, near Central piers 6 and 7. While details about the cause of its death have not yet been released, three other finless porpoises found in Hong Kong this year died after being entangled in fishing gear.
Header image credits: Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation via Facebook
