An unexpected visitor stopped by Onset Harbor Thursday when a humpback whale was spotted swimming near the Cape Cod Canal.
The Wareham Department of Natural Resources wrote in a Facebook post that the whale was spotted swimming between Onset Island and Hog Island Channel.
“This was highly unusual for the area but anything is possible!” the department wrote.
Due to the whale’s proximity to Onset Harbor Channel, authorities closed the area to vessel traffic while patrol boats created a security zone for the animal.
The channel eventually reopened and the whale continued its journey down Hog Island Channel toward Buzzards Bay.
It has not been spotted since.
Anyone boating in the area is asked to keep an eye out, operate at a safe distance and report any sightings to the Coast Guard.