Apr. 14, 2008

Sperm Whale washes up on East Coast of Vancouver Island

(Photo Taken by Misty Lawson/Atleo River Air Service)

This is absolutely fascinating to see! A Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) has washed up on the south side of Hesquiaht Peninsula just north of Tofino on the east coast of Vancouver Island and was first spotted April 11th after washing up on shore more than a week ago. Onlookers have referred to it as a 'Moby Dick' look alike! These whales are generally found in the deepest regions of the Atlantic ocean where they hunt for Giant Squid (Architeuthis) so scientists, pathologists, and marine biologists are performing an autopsy and collecting tissue samples to see what has caused it to end up here.

You can read more about it at:
CTV.ca
Vancouver Sun newspaper

And here is a fun fact sheet on Sperm Whales from Enchanted Learning. There are some activities at the end to :)