Rotting whale causes fears in Canada town - TomoNews

A dead blue whale washed into the Trout River in Newfoundland, Canada, more than a week ago. It has since doubled in size, and the town residents fear it’s about to burst.Whales can explode due to a build-up of methane and hydrogen sulphide and other gases within the rotting carcass. Especially if it’s been sitting in the sun for a few weeks. Preventative measures such as making cuts in the animal can help the gas to escape and are common.The 81-foot-long, 60-ton dead whale is bloating on the waterfront with methane gas trapped inside, which may explode at some point in time. The decaying whale also causes a stinky problem as tourist season nears.The authority doesn't want the whale become an attraction, and wants people stay away from the carcass, which would be carrying viruses or bacteria that can make people sick.Emily Butler, the town clerk in Trout River, has sought help from the province's Environment and Government Services departments, and the federal Fisheries Department to remove the carcass. She said the town council considered having fishermen tow the whale carcass out to sea.