CHARLOTTETOWN: Three sperm whales died after becoming stranded on a sandbar along the north shore of Prince Edward Island (PEI) over the weekend. The massive whales washed ashore on a small island near Hardy’s Channel in East Bideford on Saturday evening.
According to Tonya Wimmer, Executive Director of the Marine Animal Response Society (MARS), the whales were too large for humans to assist in a rescue effort. The animals measured between 33 and 38 feet long and weighed approximately 15 to 20 tons each.
Sperm whales are typically deep-sea creatures and are rarely seen close to the shore, making this a highly unusual incident.
Wimmer stated that MARS is now collaborating with partners, including the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, the Atlantic Region, Parks Canada, and the Lennox Island Nature Reserve, to coordinate the burial and next steps for the deceased whales.
