False killer whale 4th cetacean death
‘Chester’ had 10% chance of survival when it arrived at Vancouver Aquarium
VANCOUVER — A false killer whale has died at the Vancouver Aquarium, becoming the fourth cetacean to die at the facility in the past year.
The aquarium said Chester’s behaviour changed Wednesday and, despite intensive veterinary care, he died on Friday morning.
Chester was estimated to be weeks old when he was found stranded on a beach near Tofino in July 2014. He had several wounds on his body.
Dr. Martin Haulena, the aquarium’s head veterinarian, said stranded animals can have renal problems later in life, but he’s waiting for the results of Chester’s necropsy. The animal was given just a 10 per cent chance of survival when rescuers brought him to the aquarium. False killer whales are members of the dolphin family and the aquarium said little is known about the species.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada determined in May 2015 that Chester could not be released back into the wild and the aquarium was asked to continue caring for him.
The aquarium now has just one cetacean, a Pacific whiteside dolphin named Helen.
Chester became a beloved member of the facility’s family, but remained a “health challenged animal” throughout his life, the aquarium said.
“We’ve been incredibly lucky to love him and to learn from him,” said Brian Sheehan, the aquarium’s curator.