The discovery of a whale carcass in Hong Kong waters on Monday, July 31 has sent shockwaves through the city, igniting an outpouring of grief on social media.
The lifeless body of the whale was found in Sai Kung, a district known for its picturesque hiking trails, beaches, and islands.
It is suspected that this could be the same whale that had been drawing crowds of curious onlookers since it was first spotted in mid-July.
Reports have surfaced of numerous sightings of the whale over the past 20 days, attracting the attention of boat owners who sought to catch a glimpse of the magnificent creature up close.
Social media has been flooded with images of multiple boats surrounding the whale, raising concerns about the impact of such intense human activity on the animal's well-being.
Hong Kong environmentalists called for Hong Kong public to stay away from the whale. Image via Instagram.
Last week, the marine conservation foundation issued a warning about the potential dangers the whale faced due to the growing number of sightseers approaching the animal.
The foundation confirmed that the whale displayed propeller wounds on its back, indicating that it had likely collided with a vessel at some point.
The proximity of boats and the disturbance caused by human activity could have induced significant stress on the whale and potentially contributed to its untimely demise.
The government has responded to the tragedy, stating that a thorough necropsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
The results of the examination are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping future policies to safeguard marine life in Hong Kong waters.
The citizens of Hong Kong, and indeed every one of us, are urged to learn from this unfortunate event and embrace responsible eco-tourism practices to protect the rich marine diversity that graces our waters.
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[Cover image via Instagram chungsumyue]
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