A rare wildlife sighting off the Canadian coast turned into a terrifying sight when a jet skier collided with a gray whale in Burrard Inlet near Siwash Rock in Stanley Park.
The rider collided with the whale while it was already feeding and surfacing.
He was treated on a sailboat, hospitalized in serious but stable condition. He later shared his regrets: “I swear on my mother, I had no idea…I love whales.”
Wildlife officials confirmed that the whale appeared to be safe, with it being seen feeding normally and moving in good condition three days after the incident.
Meanwhile, the DFO is investigating possible violations of the 100-metre approach rule as a public petition pushes for stricter ski limits in the port.
The jet skier, who said she had no idea the whale was in the area before it struck, made a formal apology and said she never intended to kill the animal.
DFO marine mammal coordinator Paul Cottrell and a team of experts were sent to assess the whale after the incident.
“(We) could not see any injuries, and the animal was behaving normally and eating,” Mr Cottrell said.
Authorities later tracked the whale as it traveled northwest from English Bay, but it eventually disappeared from sight as it continued to dive deeper away from the coast.
“The animal may have moved on,” Mr Cottrell said.
“We’re still out of water today.”
The video has gained significant popularity on social platforms, as the collision turned a remarkable wildlife encounter into a disturbing reminder of the dangers faced in crowded waterways.
