A small pod of three sperm whales became stranded in shallow waters off P.E.I.’s north shore on Saturday, Sept. 27. By Monday, Sept. 29, reports from the scene were that at least one, possibly two, of the animals had died. Efforts to determine the condition and possibility of rescue for the third were underway throughout the day. Photo by Noah Day /Special to Journal PioneerArticle contentELLERSLIE-BIDEFORD, P.E.I. — Efforts are underway to determine what, if anything, can be done for a small group of sperm whales stranded on the Atlantic side shallows of a barrier island, near Hardys Channel, off Prince County, P.E.I.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentReports of three of the animals being beached in the area were made to the authorities on the evening of Saturday, Sept. 27.Article contentArticle contentAs of early afternoon on Monday, Sept. 29, the Marine Animal Response Society (MARS), based in N.S., had received reports from the scene that at least one of the animals had likely died. The status of a second was unknown, though it may have also died, and a third was still believed to be alive.Article contentArticle contentTonya Wimmer, executive director of the Marine Animal Response Society, spoke to the Journal Pioneer while on her way to the scene.Article contentRare occurrenceArticle contentWimmer said the animals are likely a group of podless, juvenile ‘bachelor’ males, which is usually the case when sperm whales are spotted in this part of the Atlantic. Seeing individual sperm whales become beached is relatively rare, and a group doing so is exceedingly unusual. Wimmer could only recall one other instance in her career, about 20 years ago in Northern New Brunswick.Article contentSperm whales hunt for food in the very deep parts of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic, so they can get into trouble in shallow waters.Article content“It’s a very unusual location for these whales to be,” said Wimmer.Article content“That’s number one, concerning, even why these animals are where they are? Is it they got confused and off path? Or is one of them ill? Or whatnot. We don’t know. That’s the sad part of the reality with the animals that have passed that we’ll also be hoping to try and look into those answers with our veterinary colleagues.”Article contentArticle contentThree sperm whales were stranded in shallow waters off P.E.I.’s north shore over the weekend. As of Monday afternoon at least one, possibly two, had died. Efforts are underway to see what, if anything, can be done for the third. Clip posted with permission from originator. pic.twitter.com/1mBW0mhH8z— Colin Roger MacLean (@JournalPMacLean) September 29, 2025Article contentRescue, recovery uncertainArticle contentWimmer added that the area where the whales are located makes a rescue attempt difficult, as there is no easy access for heavy machinery. Compounding the problem is that sperm whales are built densely, so they are heavy for their relative size.Article contentSince the news of the stranded whales started circulating online, there has been frustration and anger thrown at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and others, for, in the opinion of some, not moving fast enough early on to try and save the animals and allegedly warning away those who wanted to try.Article content“I know there’s an awful lot of people who are very concerned and very passionate, some very angry, and that’s fine,” said Wimmer.Article content“But the reality is that these are really big, heavy animals, and there’s not a lot you can do when they get to be too, too big and sperm whales are exceptionally heavy. So, we’re working with everyone we’ve got in our toolbox in Canada and even internationally, running through different scenarios and keeping human safety in mind.”
Concern growing for small group of sperm whales trapped off P.E.I.’s north shore
