A dead humpback whale has washed up along the Shubenacadie River near Stewiack.
Photos shared online show a beached humpback whale rolled on its back.
This is the second time a whale has washed up on the river in less than a month, with the first incident involving a minke whale that was able to return to the ocean.
Videos of a humpback whale swimming in the river were posted to social media, and the Marine Animal Rescue Society believe the beached humpback is likely the same whale.
Tidal bore rafting tour guide Morgan MacDonald saw both whales swimming and says he hasn’t seen anything like it in his years on the river.
“We see dolphins and porpoises regularly, but whales are rare,” said MacDonald. “Especially to see two live whales in the river is uncommon,”
Marine wildlife experts arrived on the scene Thursday morning and continue to deal with the whales’ carcass.
The RCMP also issued a warning to motorists that a fair number of cars are stopping along Highway 102 near Exit 11 where you can see the whale and to exercise caution if you’re traveling in that area.
