A Bryde's whale carcass is seen off Shelter Island in Sai Kung on July 31, 2023. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong police received a report on Monday morning that a whale carcass had been discovered off Shelter Island in Sai Kung.

In mid-July, a seven-meter-long Bryde's was spotted by experts and residents in Sai Kung. Later it was found to have two wounds on its back, which was believed to have been struck by a ship propeller

The whale is believed to be the Bryde’s whale which had sustained injuries to its back and was first spotted in Hong Kong waters on July 13.

Police officers, along with experts from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and Ocean Park, rushed to the scene after receiving the report at 10:46 am. Marine vessels and speedboats were dispatched to patrol the surrounding area.

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The authorities are arranging a barge to transport the whale carcass to the West Dam of High Island Reservoir in Sai Kung for autopsy.

They strongly urged the public to refrain from going out to sea to view the whale carcass.

Passers-by view the Bryde's whale carcass discovered off Shelter Island in Sai Kung on July 31, 2023. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

A short video clip circulating online showed the whale floating motionless on the sea, with a fisherman saying that “Having been hit by a ship’s propeller, its intestines have come out.” Many residents expressed concern about the whale’s condition.

In mid-July, a seven-meter-long Bryde's was spotted by experts and residents in Sai Kung. Later it was found to have two wounds on its back, which was believed to have been struck by a ship propeller.

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Last week, the AFCD called upon the public not to go on boat trips in order to watch the whale.

The AFCD spokesman stressed that all cetaceans are protected by the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance (Cap. 170). Irresponsible whale watching behavior may constitute an act of wilful disturbance of protected wild animals and offenders are liable to one year's imprisonment and a fine of HK$100,000 ($12,819) upon conviction.