Dead humpback near Tsawwassen hit by ship, DFO investigation reveals

Necropsies have been completed on two dead whales that washed up on B.C. shores earlier this month.

The juvenile female humpback whale that washed up Nov. 16 near the B.C. ferry terminal in Tsawwassen was probably hit by a ship, according to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

The DFO said Wednesday that the whale’s injuries were “consistent with catastrophic ship strike with propeller injuries.”

It is investigating.

A killer whale calf found on Nootka Island near Gold River earlier on Nov. 14 may have died from being separated from its mother, according to the necropsy results.

The transient orca whale calf (also known as Biggs killer whales) had been born alive, breathed, and likely died three to five days postpartum, the DFO said.

The examination indicates that the cause of death was a result of either maternal separation, maternal loss (mother died), neglect or failure to thrive.

The DFO says further analysis is required to determine cause of death.

Blood and tissue samples will be further analyzed, and that will likely take another two to three weeks.

The necropsies were performed by a team led by Dr. Stephen Raverty, a veterinary pathologist, and the University of British Columbia.

Tsawwassen First Nations honoured the dead humpback whale in a ceremony at the beach where it was found.

Andrea Jacobs, executive council for the Tsawwassen First Nation, said about six members gathered on the beach to hold a traditional Aboriginal ceremony to honour the young whale’s life.

The other whale, a baby orca, was found on Nootka Island by a hiker. First Nations there also held a ceremony for the whale.