Dead whales to be dragged out to sea

Telegraph-Journal
DEC 05/05

    The four whales that washed ashore on the Acadian Peninsula late last week will be towed out to sea today and sunk.
   The sperm whales beached themselves in the seaside village of ValComeau, near TracadieSheila.
   By the times officials arrived on the scene after the beaching was reported, three of the whales were dead and a fourth was barely alive and died soon afterwards.
   Since the whales beached themselves on Crown land, disposal is the responsibility of the province's Department of Natural Resources.
   Department spokesman Brent Roy said Monday that while several options were considered, it was decided to bury them at sea.
   "We'll tow them out about five miles, pierce them, weight them down and sink them," Mr. Roy said.
   He added that a local fisherman has been employed to do the towing and that the whole operation will cost about $4,000.
    While the cause of death is unknown, a Department of Fisheries and Oceans spokesman speculated that high tides and strong winds helped carry the whales ashore.

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