Ready to blow: Fears that sixty tonne blue whale carcass washed up on beach of tiny Newfoundland village could EXPLODE at any moment
community » Discussions » Category » Environment/Climate » Discussion » Ready to blow: Fears that sixty tonne blue whale carcass washed up on beach of tiny Newfoundland village could EXPLODE at any moment
Carcass is rotting along the shoreline of a town on Canada's east coast
Methane gas caused by decomposition could cause the animal to burst
Emitting powerful stench that is spreading through the town of 600 people
60-tonne carcass could be carrying bacteria that can make people sick
The carcass of a blue whale is rotting along the shoreline of a town on Canada's east coast, triggering concerns from the community it could burst.
Emily Butler, the town clerk in Trout River, Newfoundland said the 28 yard blue whale is beached next to a community boardwalk and is emitting a powerful stench that is spreading through the town of 600 people.
She said she and others in town are concerned that the methane gas caused by decomposition could cause the animal to burst.
But Jack Lawson, a research scientist with Canada's fisheries department, said the risk of such a blast is 'very small'.
He said: 'At some point, the skin of the animal will lose some of its integrity as all of the connective tissue starts to break down.
'Eventually, that gas will seep out....It will just deflate like an old balloon.'
Still, Mr Lawson said people should stay away from the 60-tonne carcass, which could be carrying viruses or bacteria that can make people sick.
'The risk will come from somebody with a sharp blade who decides they want to cut a hole in the side to see what happens, or if someone is foolish enough to walk on it,' he said.
This was in an article on another news channel today, too. They had a brief little video that showed a scientist who thought he wanted to know what killed the whale. He slashed at it and it exploded. UGH!
After my initial ick factor, I thought it was neat, in an awful sort of way. Warning: Graphic
It was probably vomited up long before the whale died. It floats cause it's oily. Doubtful that any usable was still in the whale. There is plenty of it near where whales are living for the industry.
The village may be getting their sushi delivered by air mail if this thing blows.
This was in an article on another news channel today, too. They had a brief little video that showed a scientist who thought he wanted to know what killed the whale. He slashed at it and it exploded. UGH!
After my initial ick factor, I thought it was neat, in an awful sort of way. Warning: Graphic
Tow it to Japan. They want to devour all the whales in the sea so they shouldn't be deprived of this one.
And the ''whale hit the fan''.
This is delightful. I saw a big old sow do that once. I should write a story about it.
I hope they get it on video. Thanks, Dowser, for that video above.
My pleasure!!!
Give this about another week and I'll bet you can buy the whole town, dirt cheap... or make a killing selling gas masks!
Nah, they will make sex wax out of it. Those folks living on the coast are very creative.
I wonder if they are looking for the ambergris, that stuff they put in perfume...
It was probably vomited up long before the whale died. It floats cause it's oily. Doubtful that any usable was still in the whale. There is plenty of it near where whales are living for the industry.