Hong Kong: Whale Carcass Removal from Sai Kung Coastline

by

Tom Grundy
2026-01-30 00:08:00

A severely decomposed 11-metre baleen whale carcass which washed up at a Sai Kung beach will reportedly be removed on Friday.

A severely decomposed <a href=11-metre whale carcass washed up on Ham Tin” class=”wp-image-552691″ srcset=”https://hongkongfp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6437.JPG-Copy-1050×700.jpeg 1050w, https://hongkongfp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6437.JPG-Copy-768×512.jpeg 768w, https://hongkongfp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6437.JPG-Copy-1536×1024.jpeg 1536w, https://hongkongfp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6437.JPG-Copy-1200×800.jpeg 1200w, https://hongkongfp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6437.JPG-Copy-1024×682.jpeg 1024w, https://hongkongfp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6437.JPG-Copy-600×400.jpeg?crop=1 600w, https://hongkongfp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6437.JPG-Copy-780×520.jpeg 780w, https://hongkongfp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6437.JPG-Copy-400×267.jpeg 400w, https://hongkongfp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6437.JPG-Copy-706×471.jpeg 706w, https://hongkongfp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6437.JPG-Copy-800×533.jpeg 800w, https://hongkongfp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_6437.JPG-Copy.jpeg 1676w” sizes=”(max-width: 1050px) 100vw, 1050px”/>
A severely decomposed 11-metre whale carcass washed up on Ham Tin, Sai Kung, on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Photo: Junge/Xiaohongshu.

Ham Tin villagers reported a bad smell and alerted authorities on Thursday morning.

A severely decomposed 11-metre whale carcass washed up on Ham TinA severely decomposed 11-metre whale carcass washed up on Ham Tin
A severely decomposed 11-metre whale carcass washed up on Ham Tin, Sai Kung, on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Photo: Junge/Xiaohongshu.

According to TVB, government personnel in protective gear arrived to handle the remains on Thursday. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department expects to complete the disposal on Friday.

A severely decomposed 11-metre whale carcass washed up on Ham TinA severely decomposed 11-metre whale carcass washed up on Ham Tin
A severely decomposed 11-metre whale carcass washed up on Ham Tin, Sai Kung, on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Photo: Junge/Xiaohongshu.

See also: Dead porpoise washes up on Lamma Island

The broadcaster quoted vice-chair of Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society Viena Mak as saying that the whale probably died elsewhere more than two days ago, judging by the level of decay.

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Tom GrundyTom Grundy

Tom founded Hong Kong Free Press in 2015 as the city’s first crowdfunded newspaper. He has a BA in Communications and New Media from Leeds University and an MA in Journalism from the University of Hong Kong. He previously founded an NGO advocating for domestic worker rights, and has contributed to the BBC, Deutsche Welle, Al-Jazeera and others.

Tom leads HKFP – raising funds, managing the team and navigating risk – whilst regularly speaking on press freedom, ethics and media funding at industry events, schools and conferences around the world.

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