There is a dead whale washed up by a boardwalk onshore in the Canadian village of Trout River, Newfoundland, and it is causing trouble, The Guardian reports. Not trouble of the sort that a live whale can cause, but perhaps worse: This one can explode.

The massive, 60-ton blue whale carcass is bloated to close to twice its normal size and emitting a stench that those who haven’t come into contact with whale carcasses probably can’t comprehend. As the decomposing whale fills with methane gas, it has sparked a debate in the town of 600 people: Is it, in fact, in danger of bursting?

Town Clerk Emily Butler says maybe:

“We have a concern … because I’m not sure with the heat and gases that are trapped inside of this mammal if at some point in time it will explode,” Butler said.

Most worrying, Butler has told news sources that the town lacks the sufficient resources to deal with the carcass.

The exploding whale phenomenon has a history. Famously, a sperm whale in Oregon was blown up—deliberately, with the help of half a ton of dynamite—by the Oregon Highway Division in 1970. That blast was caught on camera, and whale blubber reportedly landed on people a quarter of a mile away:

More recently, a whale corpse exploded from the natural buildup of gas, in Taiwan in 2004. Nobody was harmed, though foul-smelling whale entrails and blood covered nearby people and buildings.

That crisis might well be avoided in Newfoundland. Jack Lawson, a research scientist who seems to know a thing or two about methane buildup, has told The Guardian that an explosion of that sort is unlikely.

“It will just deflate like an old balloon,” he said, coining what is perhaps the loveliest simile ever used to describe a 60-ton carcass of rancid, decomposing flesh.

Touching a dead whale may seem harmless, or even fascinating, to some people. After all, these massive animals are a wonder of nature, and getting up close to one, even after its death, may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, touching a dead whale can actually be extremely dangerous, and in some cases, even deadly.

One of the biggest risks associated with touching a dead whale is exposure to harmful bacteria and viruses. When a whale dies, its body begins to decompose rapidly, which can release a host of dangerous pathogens into the surrounding environment. These pathogens can include everything from bacteria like E. coli and salmonella, to viruses like avian influenza and rabies. Exposure to these pathogens can cause serious illness or even death in humans and other animals.

In addition to the risks posed by bacteria and viruses, dead whales can also pose physical dangers to humans. For example, the decomposition process can cause a buildup of gas inside the whale’s body, which can lead to a sudden and violent explosion. This can happen even if the whale has been dead for some time, and can result in serious injury or death for anyone nearby.

Finally, touching a dead whale can also be harmful to the animal itself. Whales are protected species, and disturbing their bodies can interfere with scientific research and conservation efforts. It can also cause stress to other whales in the area, as they may be able to sense the presence of a dead member of their species.

In conclusion, while touching a dead whale may seem like a harmless or even exciting experience, it is actually quite dangerous. Exposure to harmful bacteria and viruses, the risk of physical injury, and the potential harm to the animal itself make it an activity that should be avoided at all costs. Instead, it is important to respect the majesty and importance of these incredible creatures from a safe and respectful distance.

SO BE CAREFUL!!