Authorities assess three stranded sperm whales near East Bideford, P.E.I., urging public to stay 200m away as rescue efforts continue.
Stranded Sperm Whales Spotted Near East Bideford
Three large sperm whales were sighted Saturday night stranded on the ocean side of a small chain of islands near Hardys Channel, close to East Bideford, western Prince Edward Island. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and the Marine Animal Response Society confirmed the presence of the mammals and began monitoring their condition.
Uncommon Coastal Appearance
Sperm whales usually inhabit deeper waters in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, explained Tonya Wimmer, executive director of the Marine Animal Response Society. “Every now and then we’ll get a group or a single animal that comes closer to shore and accidentally ends up on the beach,” Wimmer said. While their presence in these waters is not unusual, sightings on shorelines are rare.
Size and Identification
Based on local migration patterns, the whales are likely all male, typically reaching lengths of up to 15 metres and weighing as much as 30 tonnes. Their massive size makes any rescue operation logistically complex and potentially dangerous for both the animals and humans involved.
Public Safety Precautions
DFO has emphasized the need for public safety, urging residents and visitors to maintain a distance of at least 200 metres from the whales. Wimmer added that stranded whales can be highly stressed and may move unpredictably, posing risks to anyone nearby.
Assessing Rescue Options
Authorities are currently determining whether the whales are alive and if a rescue is feasible. “With animals this big and this heavy, you cannot just simply put a rope around their tail and pull them out,” Wimmer said. “That actually can do serious, serious damage to the animal and is incredibly unsafe.” DFO continues to monitor the situation closely, coordinating with provincial teams to decide next steps.
Ongoing Monitoring and Updates
Fisheries and Oceans Canada will continue to observe the whales and provide updates as assessments progress. Officials are balancing the well-being of the animals with public safety concerns, highlighting the complexity of large marine mammal rescues along P.E.I.’s shores.
