Hong Kong authorities are investigating the discovery of a severely decomposed whale carcass discovered on a beach in Sai Kung.
Authorities were alerted to the decomposed carcass, measuring 11 metres (36.1 feet) in length, on Thursday after villagers found it on the beach at Ham Tin Wan, in Sai Kung East Country Park.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) deployed officers to the scene, with preliminary findings suggesting that the animal was a baleen whale.
Based on the degree of decomposition, the carcass was believed to have been dead for some time before drifting from the open seas into the waters off Ham Tin Wan, it added.
The department said a necropsy could not be conducted due to its advanced decomposition, adding that its staff were working to dispose of the carcass and clean up the area by Friday.
It also reminded the public to stay away from the area to avoid obstructing the process.
Baleen whales typically forage in the cold, high-latitude waters around the Arctic and Antarctic during the summer, and migrate to warmer, low-latitude or tropical waters for breeding and nurturing their young in winter.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said it would move the carcass to a designated location, where its appointed contractor would transport the remains to a landfill for disposal. A vessel was seen approaching the beach on Thursday night.
An Ocean Park spokesman confirmed that its staff and the AFCD had taken samples from the carcass for laboratory testing.
Viena Mak Hei-man, vice-chairwoman of the Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society, said the whale was already severely decomposed and was likely to have died about a week ago before drifting from the South China Sea to local shores.
Ham Tin Wan is a popular camping and hiking destination. The sight of the carcass also drew the attention of mainland Chinese visitors, with some stopping to take photos. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
