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Grey whale wanders into downtown Vancouver
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By: ctvbc.ca
Date: Wednesday May. 5, 2010 6:01 PM PT
A grey whale made its way into Vancouver's False Creek on Wednesday, wowing crowds who gathered to catch a glimpse.
It meandered into the harbour at around noon before travelling east all the way to Science World, drawing the attention of cyclists and pedestrians amazed to see a massive ocean mammal so close to the city's downtown.
A B.C. Coast Guard boat tracked the whale's movements to ensure its safety, said spokesman Dan Bate.
"A crew from Kitsilano was tasked to keep an eye on it and ensure there was no interference from other boaters."
It made its way out of the area shortly before 3 p.m.
Caitlin Birdsall of the B.C. Cetacean Sighting Network says it's not unusual for grey whales to make pit stops in the area on their migration north to the Bering Sea.
She says the whale was likely looking for food in the shallow, sandy waterway.
The sightings network last reported a grey whale in Vancouver last April, when one wandered into English Bay.
With files from The Canadian Press
Have you seen the whale? Send your photos to bcassign@ctv.ca
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Doug # BC |
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OMG.That's amazing.In the 50 years I've been in this city I've never heard of that happening.I can only assume it showed up for the hockey game later on. For those not familiar with the Vancouver area, this whale is right down town.And in water that was so thick with pollution in the 1960's,that you could almost walk on it.Given it's lack of current and lack of flow during the movements of the tides,I am sure it's still not pristine.But,over the last three or four decades,development and environmental concerns have done a decent job in complimenting each other. All that aside,I hope it's not in any kind of trouble or under some form of distress.Assuming it's fit and healthy,this sight is a great treat for all the kids who can get down to see it. |
bells |
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Was this the one who was in Squamish last week?! |
Radio |
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There was a grey whale washed up on the White Rock beach back in the early 80's and was towed out into the Straight of Georgia only to end up in Mud Bay close to the 99 freeway. The smell was not nice as it decomposed.I hope this one is exploring, not sick or injured. |
Rick in NB, Ste Marie |
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How many of these magnificent animals will die if the U.S.A. allows drilling in Alaska's ANWR or the Beaufort sea? |
julie |
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Just watched a couple spouting in the bay in White Rock last week - incredible! I've lived here all my life, and never seen that before, all from our balcony. And ditto on the comments above... hope it's just cruising - not sick! |
Josh |
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I think it went to check out how awesome Southease False Creek has become! Mr. Grey Whale wants a suite in the Olympic Village! |
Tana Heminsley |
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Amazingly, cousin Stacey visiting from Saskatoon saw the grey whale out in front of our home across from Granville Island.Hopefully she/he is OK as she/he heads back out to open ocean! |
Joe |
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CTV is a Canadian network and should be using Canadian spellings. The animal in Vancouver today is a GREY WHALE not a gray whale. |
James |
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Wow! This is amazing. I wonder if the whale is aware of the helicopter following it. I also wonder if it was just curious, or if historically whales would have explored this area for food? |
Mike |
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Amazing! The whale is probably thinking the last time I was in this neck of the woods, there weren't nearly as many condos!Remember we are inhabiting their neighbourhood, not the other way around. |
Rick in NB, Ste Marie |
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OK Joe, but if your going to get picky, its a Eschrichtius robustus. |
Nanook |
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What a dumb whale. It missed the Olympics by a few months!How would it BBQ????? |
Bertha V Pierre |
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OMG well Vancouver take care this is amazing and unusual, in my culture it would be a warning sign although I am thinking skeptical and hoping it is bringing a lot of luck to the CANUCKS omg it is a sign so I am hoping it is luck for the CANUCKS Go Canucks Go |
Linda in Vancouver |
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I sure hope it's OK health wise.I would have thought the water there would be to warm,and even to shallow for whales. To Rick in NB,the answer to your first question is "none".If the work is done properly.In fact,I'd be more concerned about the well armed druggies on the streets of Vancouver. One of those sickos could easliy take a shot at in the middle of the night. As nice as it is to see it there,for it's own safety,I hope it finds safer waters soon. |
grandesse |
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that poor whale is swimming right through out sewage infested waters. remember how all the sewage overflows go into false creek...http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=a82d460d-ec35-4f95-b49f-6c3c6d3ae968http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=ec729ea2-5735-4c57-acac-ea0d9aa2cd6fbtw, i wonder if people living close by, that are enjoying the beaches know this ;-) |
Fog of Life |
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Don't tell the Japanese or they"ll redirect from the Southern Ocean and then we'll have to call in Paul Watson to save the poor creatures.I can imagine all the people in Vancouver licking their chops.... |
CYL |
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Amazing site, but is this whale sick or is it trying to find ??? or is it a sign of something that us humans are unaware of. |
shaun m |
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Probably just trying to score some sweet bud... |
Some internet armchair quarterback |
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Sewage only overflows into the ocean when there is extremely heavy rain... I've heard that the new artificial island is encouraging herring to return to false creek, maybe he's (she's?) after that. |
In Pictures
Grey whale thrills onlookers in Downtown Vancouver
A grey whale made its way into Downtown Vancouver's False Creek, wowing crowds who gathered to catch a glimpse.
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