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<DIV><B>Subject:< There is a precious Halifax Record.. Herring Cove, 1920, one found dead under the ice. Piers, H. (1920). Accidental occurrence of the Pygmy Sperm Whale (Kogia breviceps) on the coast of Nova Scotia: An extension of its known range; with remarks on the probability of the former presence in these waters of the true Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus). Proceedings and Transactions of the Nova Scotian Institute of Science, 15(2), 95-114. Andrew ________________________________________ From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] on behalf of Laurie Murison [gmwhale@nbnet.nb.ca] Sent: March-21-15 10:49 AM To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca Subject: Re: [NatureNS] Pygmy Sperm Whale washes up in Halifax Harbour They certainly do stray into Maritime waters (usually better known from more southerly waters). There have been at least 2 stranded in the New Brunswick part of the Bay of Fundy. Laurie Murison ----- Original Message ----- From: Dusan Soudek<mailto:soudekd@ns.sympatico.ca> To: NatureNS<mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca> Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2015 10:08 AM Subject: Re: [NatureNS] Pygmy Sperm Whale washes up in Halifax Harbour Thank you, Laurie, for the additional information. So the story is a little more complicated. It looks like the whale collided with a ship. I remember seeing Pygmy Sperm Whale on a list of marine mammal species observed –dead or alive-- in Halifax Harbour, produced as part of the environmental assessment literature review prior to the first harbour cleanup effort in the 1990’s. Dusan Soudek From: Laurie Murison<mailto:gmwhale@nbnet.nb.ca> Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2015 9:27 AM To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca<mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca> Subject: Re: [NatureNS] Pygmy Sperm Whale washes up in Halifax Harbour I have pasted below what was posted on the MARS (Marine Animal Response Society) Facebook page: On October 24th, 2014 a small whale was spotted swimming around the navy docks in Halifax. It was swimming very slowly, had blood trailing from its head and an had an injury to its tail fluke. The Marine Animal Response Society (MARS) and protection officers from the Department of Fisheries & Oceans (DFO) responded, however a thorough search of the area by boat failed to locate the animal. On October 28th, the whale was found dead on McNabs Island in Halifax Harbour. It was identified as a pygmy sperm whale, an elusive, small whale not common in our waters. DFO towed the animal to the Bedford Institute of Oceanography, where it was frozen until a necropsy could be performed. On March 12, 2015 the animal was taken to Dalhousie University where the necropsy was done. This was directed by a veterinary pathologist from UPEI, MARS response coordinators and faculty from Dalhousie University. It was also used for teaching both University of PEI veterinary students as well as Dalhousie marine biology students. Several injuries were documented on the throat and tail and it was considered in poor body condition. Sadly, several pieces of plastic as well as a long piece of plastic strapping were found lodged in its stomach. Although it was a sad outcome for this small whale, it provided a unique experience to students from both universities to learn about whale anatomy as well as the importance of conservation measures to protect whale species. The bones were donated to the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History. Laurie Murison Grand Manan, NB ----- Original Message ----- From: Dusan Soudek<mailto:soudekd@ns.sympatico.ca> To: NatureNS<mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca> Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2015 8:48 AM Subject: [NatureNS] Pygmy Sperm Whale washes up in Halifax Harbour A letter to the editor (“Litter lethal to wildlife”) in a recent issue of The Chronicle Herald (March 20) mentions that a dead Pygmy Right Whale washed up on McNabs Island recently, and that a necropsy revealed several plastic items in its stomach. They apparently caused its demise. Does anyone have more information on this incident? Has the species ID been confirmed? Dusan Soudek
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