A dead humpback whale was hauled out of Cowichan Bay this morning.
A spokeswoman for the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans said the dead humpback whale, a young animal, washed up near a commercial dock in Cowichan Bay on Tuesday.
Veterinary analysis and tests will be performed to determine a cause of death. The animal will then be disposed of safely, with the bones perhaps headed to a museum or school if requested.
The whale was first spotted on Saturday, looking as though it was in trouble. It seemed to be surfacing with difficulty.