Sai Kung whale showing signs of propeller injuries getting worse

^{The suspected propeller damage on the whale’s back Photo: Ocean Park}

The appearance of a whale in Sai Kung’s waters last week has caused great interest amongst the public. Sadly it has also started a wave of whale watching. Unfortuately this is having a negative effect on the great creature.

The whale has made a number of visits back to the waters off High Island, and recently the back of the whale shows scars. Lydia Pang, the acting director of marine conservation of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), said today (26/7) that judging from the photos, the wounds were getting worse than a few days ago.

The mammal is also showing signs of mental stress as her injuries worsened. WWF is echoing other conservation groups and recommends that if a whale appears within 100 metres, vessels should immediately stop and slow down. She also specifically reminded those who engage in wake surfing and water motorised sports to pay more attention and stay away from the range of whales, otherwise it will be dangerous to both parties.

^{The whale as originally photographed by Catherine Lumsden when it first appeared off Sai Kung}

Ocean Park urged the public yesterday (25/7) not to chase the whale off Sai Kung, after they found pictures of the animal with apparent propeller wounds on its back.

The park said it had been monitoring the huge baleen whale that’s been feeding in the waters of eastern Hong Kong since mid-July, together with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

It said the wounds identified raise concerns about the whale’s safety, and a team was taking steps to confirm the species and condition of the animal.

In a statement, the park said that a crowd had been spotted approaching the whale over the weekend, which it says causes the animal stress and can lead to life-threatening consequences – such as inability to rest or feed.

“Whales are sensitive creatures and can be easily affected by loud noises, sudden movements and human interference. Additionally, approaching the whales can disrupt their natural behaviour and migration patterns, which can have a long-term negative impact on their well-being,” Compass Chan, the Scientific Officer of Ocean Park Conservation Foundation said.

The park called on the public to maintain a safe distance from the whale, as crowding the whale can be dangerous for humans as well.