The news just keeps getting sadder. Montreal's whale was likely killed in a collision, according to the first veterinarian reports. Baleines en direct, in partnership with the Groupe de recherche et d’éducation sur les mammifères marins (GREMM), announced this heartbreaking development on Wednesday afternoon.
The humpback whale that swam up the fleuve and captured the hearts and minds of Montrealers over the past week was found dead on Tuesday morning — officially making 2020 the worst year ever (if it wasn't already).
Experts suspect that the whale collided with a boat but don't know how, what kind of boat, or how large it could've been, Baleines en direct Editor-in-Chief Marie-Ève Muller told MTL Blog.
While terrible, it's good to know that the whale wasn't sick or lacking food as some social media users guessed.
The GREMM previously reported that "it [moved] at a good speed, [seemed] to breathe normally and [had] normal, even dynamic behaviour (diving, jumping) for a humpback whale."
Further analysis will uncover more details surrounding the poor whale's death.
The whale's appearance in Montreal serendipitously coincided with the relaxing of deconfinement measures across town.
For a few magical days, Montrealers experienced a once-in-a-lifetime connection with marine life.
A necropsy and analysis were conducted throughout the day on Wednesday and other than indications of a collision, there are no more details surrounding the whale's cause of death.
It hasn't been determined why the whale swam so far up the St. Lawrence.
Far from its usual habitat, its unprecedented journey was abruptly ended in Varennes, Montérégie, just north of Montreal.
READ ALSO: Here's Why Montreal's Whale Couldn't Be Saved
Baleines en direct reminds Montrealers to contact 1 877 722-5346 for emergencies concerning marine mammals in the St. Lawrence River.
More details will be released in the coming days.
Réseau québécois d’urgences pour les mammifères marins | Courtesy of the GREMM
Rest easy, gentle giant.
