Dead Blue Whales In Newfoundland Raise Concerns

Dead Blue Whale Draws Concerns It May Explode

Trout River, Newfoundland – This tiny town of population 688 quite literally has a big whale of problem to deal with in the form of a blue whale that washed to shore a week ago. The whale measures 25 meters (81 feet) in length and will be quite the chore to clean up and dispose. In fact, the local government believes it is the job of the federal government to handle, but the feds have told the town it’s their problem. In response, they have stated that the community does not have the resources to handle such a large problem. That was certainly the case when the whale washed ashore and it is has become a worse problem since it became bloating with methane gas.

As of this time, the whale’s girth has more than doubled and there is a legitimate fear that it could explode. However legitimate the combustive fears are hasn’t stopped people from visiting the town to ogle the fish. Trout River resides on the grounds of the Gros Morne National Park and regularly draws tourists. Now, people are coming to see the spectacle of the greatly expanded blue whale. This past November, a sperm whale washed ashore on the Faroe Islands and it exploded. Albeit that explosion came as scientists were attempting to cut the whale into pieces for both removal and observation. Sadly, a pocket of methane gas was pierced causing the pent up innards to gush out like a volcano in what would certainly have thrilled middle school boys. Needless to say, it didn’t leave the area smelling pretty.

Town River locals fear the same might happen in their town. Some have considered pushing the blue whale back out to sea and letting it become somebody else’s problem. Besides the obvious issue of the town likely lacking the ability to do that, it would put sea vessels at risk.

Here are some examples of the risky nature of whale disposal:

Source:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-27210992