“DON’T eat dead whales”. That’s the main theme of a special advisory issued by Fisheries & Oceans Canada, after several of the giant aquatic mammals washed up on the shores of British Columbia recently. The urgent notice follows some “severe illness” reported in several dogs which apparently ingested whale meat...
“DON’T eat dead whales”.
That’s the main theme of a special advisory issued by Fisheries & Oceans Canada, after several of the giant aquatic mammals washed up on the shores of British Columbia recently.
The urgent notice follows some “severe illness” reported in several dogs which apparently ingested whale meat from a decaying carcass in Masset Inlet, a large salt water bay on the region’s Haida Gwaii archipelago.
“Apart from the concerns around botulism in the dead whale carcass that make it unfit for consumption, marine mammal meat and blubber can also contain high levels of toxins and heavy metals,” according to an update from Fishery Officer Chase Edwards.
The notice urges anyone who has snacked on the dead giants of the sea to urgently inform the Department – while also warning people to keep their distance from the bodies.
“Especially in a place like this, lots of school groups, tourists and people like to go check it out, so we just want people to be aware that looking and taking photos is probably the best option, instead of playing with it or taking pieces or parts of it,” the update added.
Dog owners have also been told to keep their pets leashed.
