A pilot whale that washed ashore in eastern Nova Scotia could be a warm-water-loving species that's rarely seen this far north, according to The Marine Animal Response Team. Although long-finned pilot whales are common off our coasts, short-finned pilot whales tend to stick to tropical and subtropical areas of the Atlantic Ocean. The Marine Animal Response Society is working with researchers to analyze the whale's genetic makeup to determine if it's a short-finned pilot whale. (Marine Animal Response Society/Facebook)Reid said researchers who study pilot whales have seen pictures and believe it has the tell-tale pectoral fin that would make it a short-finned pilot whale. Earlier this week, more than 150 whales, which are believed to be short-finned pilot whales, beached themselves on dry land in western Australia.

Source: CBC News March 24, 2018 15:11 UTC