You will not believe what happened off Stanley Park
I’ve seen a lot of things on the seawall. People running in the rain, people running when it’s sunny. The occasional rogue cyclist trying to set a land speed record. But what happened near Siwash Rock on Monday night... that's a new one. Someone on a jet ski apparently *struck* a grey whale. A grey whale, mind you, one of these magnificent creatures making their way through our waters. The sheer audacity. The absolute thoughtlessness of it.
### The Audacity of It All
Honestly, it makes your stomach turn a little, doesn't it? Grey whales, those gentle giants, are struggling enough right now. Seven have washed up dead off Vancouver Island this year alone. To then have someone on a jet ski, blasting around near one of our most iconic natural landmarks, actually hit one... it’s just beyond comprehension. It’s a vivid snapshot of that disconnect, that sense of entitlement some people seem to have about our shared natural spaces. The whole thing feels… *mottainai*. A real waste, a shame.
* **When it happened:** Monday around 7:30 p.m. PT. * **Where it happened:** Near Siwash Rock, just off the Stanley Park seawall. * **What was involved:** A jet ski and a grey whale. * **The bigger picture:** Seven grey whales have been found dead off Vancouver Island this year.
This isn’t just about a reckless act; it's a stark reminder of the fragile balance we have here in Vancouver. We live in this incredible city, pressed right up against this wild, beautiful coast. It's a privilege, not a free-for-all. When you're out on the water, whether it's Burrard Inlet or out past Point Grey, you have a responsibility to respect the wildlife that calls these waters home. It's their place, first and foremost.
Beautiful out here. Complicated in here. That's the coast.
You know, the MiTL team talks about these sorts of things every morning. Catch the full discussion and more at mornings.live.