Hong Kong authorities are investigating a severely decomposed whale carcass found on a Sai Kung beach. The 11-metre carcass was spotted by villagers on Thursday at Ham Tin Wan beach in Sai Kung East Country Park. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department preliminarily identified it as a baleen whale and ruled out a necropsy due to advanced decomposition.
On Thursday, villagers discovered a severely decomposed whale carcass, measuring 11 metres (36.1 feet) in length, on the beach at Ham Tin Wan in Sai Kung East Country Park, alerting authorities. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) deployed officers to the scene, with preliminary findings indicating it was a baleen whale.
The degree of decomposition suggested the animal had been dead for some time, having drifted from the open seas into the waters off Ham Tin Wan. Due to its advanced state, a necropsy could not be conducted. Department staff are working to dispose of the carcass and clean the area by Friday.
The AFCD has urged the public to stay away from the site to avoid obstructing the process. The incident has raised questions about marine life mortality, though no further details have been released.