People are being asked to avoid an area on a BC beach where a dead grey whale washed up.
According to Parks Canada, the dead whale was reported to be floating offshore of Pacific Rim National Park on Vancouver Island.
Today, it washed up on Long Beach near Tofino.
Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Parks Canada are collaborating on next steps.
Meanwhile, visitors are being asked to keep their distance, and not to touch the whale.
Parks Canada added that they are working with Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to "respectfully respond to a whale carcass" found within Tla-o-qui-aht ha’wiih ḥaḥuułi.
On Saturday, May 10, Tla-o-qui-aht will hold a private ceremony for the whale. DFO will lead a necropsy the same day.
The final results are expected to take up to three months. People are also asked to keep their dogs on leash and away from the area.
