The Nova Scotia government has removed a foul-smelling whale carcass from a beach following appeals from a councillor who feared the rotting remains would explode on unsuspecting passersby.
READ MORE: Community rallies to save beached whales on Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island
Gary Mattie, a councillor in Antigonish County, had been trying to get the whale removed since a woman on Tracadie Island recently found it on the shore.
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He said officials with the department told him it couldn’t be removed because it’s in a protected area and machinery couldn’t be brought onto the beach.
Mattie said he was concerned methane gas produced during decomposition could cause the whale to blow up unexpectedly.
“People are curious and if they go there to take pictures and whatever … we don’t know when it could happen,” Mattie said.
He also said the foul odour the carcass is giving off could attract other animals to the area.
A spokesman with the Natural Resources Department said in a statement Thursday that staff had disposed of the animal.
“Given this is a protected beach, the department thought it appropriate we take the time to consider all relevant factors,” Bruce Nunn said in the emailed statement.
“It was done first thing today. The whale has been dealt with.”
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