False killer whale is latest cetacean to die at Vancouver Aquarium
VANCOUVER — A false killer whale has died at the Vancouver Aquarium, becoming the fourth cetacean to die at the facility in the past year.
The aquarium said in a statement that Chester’s behaviour changed Wednesday and despite intensive veterinary care, he died on Friday morning.
Chester was estimated to be just weeks old when he was found stranded on a beach near Tofino, B.C., in July 2014. He was in poor condition and had several wounds and lacerations on his body.
Dr. Martin Haulena, the aquarium’s head veterinarian, said that stranded animals can have renal problems later in life, but he’s waiting for the results of a post-mortem to determine Chester’s cause of death.