In a rare and heartbreaking event, a humpback whale found itself stranded in the shallow waters of the Shubenacadie River, ultimately leading to its death. This unusual occurrence has left locals and nature enthusiasts alike in shock.
Emmet Blois, a seasoned river guide with nearly two decades of experience on the Shubenacadie, recounted the incident. “It’s pretty rare for the river, obviously because it’s so shallow,” Blois explained. The river, with its sandbars and powerful currents, is typically only a few feet deep, making it an unlikely habitat for such a large marine mammal.
The whale’s tragic journey began when it was swept into the river by the incoming tide and powerful bore action from the Bay of Fundy. “Once it was in here, the chances of survival were very, very slim,” Blois noted. Despite efforts, the whale repeatedly beached itself and was found dead by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) a few days later.
Blois operates Shubie River Wranglers, a tidal rafting company that navigates the Shubenacadie River’s unique tidal rapids. Using shallow-bottom Zodiac boats, his team offers thrilling rafting experiences amidst the river’s dynamic environment. While the river does occasionally see smaller marine visitors like harbor porpoises and seals, a whale sighting is unprecedented.
The Shubenacadie River is home to a diverse array of wildlife. “We run from May to October, and the main thing we see are eagles,” Blois shared. The river’s abundant fish supply supports a growing eagle population. Other occasional visitors include harbor seals, porpoises, and even one very rare occurrence where leatherback turtles were discovered.
Reflecting on the whale’s fate, Blois expressed a mix of awe and sorrow. “It’s a surreal thing to see a whale like that up close, but we all knew as soon as it was in here, it wasn’t gonna be good. It’s not a good thing for it, that’s for sure.”
For those interested in experiencing the Shubenacadie River firsthand, Shubie River Wranglers offers tours that showcase the river’s natural beauty and dynamic tides. While not a whale-watching tour, the experience promises adventure and a chance to witness the river’s unique ecosystem. Tours can be booked through their website at ShubieRiverwranglers.ca.
In a final note of cautious optimism, Blois mentioned a recent encounter with a smaller minke whale that managed to return to the Bay of Fundy. “There is a little bit of a bright light,” he said, underscoring the unpredictable and often harsh reality of nature.
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