Severely decomposed whale carcass to be disposed by Friday

A 11-metre whale carcass was found on a beach in Ham Tin Wan in Sai Kung.

Preliminary assessment indicates that the baleen whale had been dead for some time,

and may have drifted into Hong Kong from open waters.

Due to the severe decomposition, a necropsy cannot be further conducted to determine the cause of death.

The whale's body was seen near the shoreline.

Significant decomposition was evident across the body.

Dressed in protective gear, personnel from the authorities arrived this afternoon to handle the remains.

A local shop staff spotted the carcass at around 10 a.m.,

noting that it was starting to decompose badly and internal organs were exposed. There was a strong odour which could be smelt even 30 or 40 metres away.

Vice-chairman of Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society Viena Mak suggested the whale probably died elsewhere.

She said judging by the level of decay, the whale had been dead for more than two days and it probably drifted here after it died.

As the body was relatively intact, it cannot be concluded that human activity was the cause of death.

Founding chairman of Ichthyological Society of Hong Kong Chong Dee-hwa said the recent warmer weather and direct sunlight would have accelerated the decomposition.

Ocean Park has dispatched staff to the scene to take samples back for forensic testing.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department expects to complete the disposal of the carcass by Friday.