Latest news with #NamgisFirstNation
Miami Herald
19-05-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Elusive sea creature seen on Canada coast. See why officials are ‘deeply concerned'
An elusive whale recently washed ashore in Canada, leaving local officials 'deeply concerned.' The deceased marine mammal was found on Port McNeill Bay — located on Vancouver Island in British Columbia — on May 14, according to a news release from the 'Namgis First Nation, a local government office. In photos, it can be seen laying on its stomach amid a vast stretch of wet sand. Its mouth was agape, revealing rows of white bristles. The creature was initially thought to be a Minke whale, but officials at the site later confirmed it was a young Bryde's whale — 'a species rarely seen in these northern waters.' Bay Cetology, a conservation non-profit that helped identify the whale, described the animal in a Facebook post as 'a very unusual visitor.' The organization added that, 'This is British Columbia's first record of a Bryde's whale that we are aware of.' As a result, officials said they were disturbed by the finding. 'The Nation is deeply concerned by the death of any whale, but the rarity of this species appearing so far north makes this event particularly significant,' 'Namgis First Nation said. Officials were dispatched to the site to educate onlookers and to ensure the carcass was treated with respect. A necropsy was conducted May 16, but the cause of death has not been revealed, according to the Whale Interpretive Center, another conservation non-profit, which described the finding as 'a surprise.' Bryde's whales — pronounced 'broodus' — are a baleen species named after Johan Bryde, an early 20th century whaler, according to the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA). The animals, which can grow up to 55 feet and weigh up to 90,000 pounds, are typically found throughout warmer parts of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. 'They are rarely seen in waters north of 35° latitude,' according to 'Namgis First Nation, which is 'roughly the same latitude as Los Angeles, California.' This means the recently discovered whale was found about 1,000 miles outside the species' typical range. The solitary creatures consume upwards of 1,000 pounds of food per day, with their diet largely consisting of shrimp, krill, crabs and schooling fish, according to NOAA. The population of the species is unknown becuase of a lack of data, and the species is protected throughout its range by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
CBC
16-05-2025
- Science
- CBC
Rare whale washes up on Vancouver Island, in possible 1st sighting of species in B.C.
In a possible first for B.C., a Bryde's whale — a species not generally seen north of California — has washed up on Vancouver Island. The whale washed ashore in Port McNeill Bay, on the northern side of the Island, according to a news release from the 'Na̱mg̱is First Nation. Experts brought in to examine the body confirmed it as a young Bryde's whale, a baleen whale that uses filter feeding, similar to humpbacks, generally found in tropical to temperate waters, though there have been stray sightings of individuals as far north as Washington state in the past. Jackie Hildering of the Marine Education and Research Society visited the whale and says to her knowledge, this is the first time one has been seen in British Columbia. 'Na̱mg̱is Chief Victor Isaac says in the statement that a necropsy of the Bryde's whale will be done to determine the cause of death, and 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," it said in the statement. The whale is the third to be found dead on B.C. shores this month, after two grey whales were found washed up, one on Vancouver Island and one on Haida Gwaii.
Winnipeg Free Press
16-05-2025
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Bryde's whale washes ashore in only known sighting of the animal in B.C.
PORT MCNEILL – Another dead whale has washed ashore on a British Columbia beach, the third over two weeks, but a marine wildlife expert says there's likely no connections to the deaths. The Namgis First Nation says in a statement that a resident reported finding the whale Wednesday on a beach near Port McNeill, B.C., and experts who have examined the animal say it's a Bryde's whale – a species rarely seen in waters north of the same latitude as Los Angeles. Jackie Hildering with the Marine Education and Research Society is among the researchers on-site, and says this is the only known sighting of a Bryde's whale in B.C. 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. Hildering says 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, which wouldn't be connected to the cause of death for this Byrde's whale. Namgis Chief Victor Isaac says in the statement that a necropsy of the Bryde's whale will be done to determine the cause of death, and the community is 'deeply concerned' by the 'rarity of this species appearing so far north.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'Namgis First Nation is very sad and concerned with the climate crisis and the health of our oceans,' Isaac says. '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,' the statement says. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2025.
Toronto Star
16-05-2025
- Toronto Star
Bryde's whale washes ashore in only known sighting of the animal in B.C.
PORT MCNEILL - Another dead whale has washed ashore on a British Columbia beach, the third over two weeks, but a marine wildlife expert says there's likely no connections to the deaths. The Namgis First Nation says in a statement that a resident reported finding the whale Wednesday on a beach near Port McNeill, B.C., and experts who have examined the animal say it's a Bryde's whale – a species rarely seen in waters north of the same latitude as Los Angeles.
