A new facility dedicated to marine animal autopsies has officially opened in Seaforth, N.S. The state-of-the-art lab, developed by the Marine Animal Response Society (MARS)—with the support of Hope for Wildlife and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, among other donors—will serve as a crucial resource for necropsies (animal autopsies) and sample collection, providing valuable data for research and diagnostics.

Prior to this new facility, MARS faced significant challenges in accessing sterile, well-equipped spaces to conduct the necessary examinations. “To date, a lot of the times, we either have to do what we call a necropsy… in the field or sometimes we’d have to bring the animal and try to find a freezer so that we could take them over to the vet college in P.E.I.,” said Tonya Wimmer, executive director of MARS in conversation with CTV News.

The new lab fills a critical gap in marine animal response, conservation, and management within the Maritime provinces. MARS officials note that conducting necropsies is essential for identifying the causes of harm or death in marine species, many of which are impacted by human activities. “This work is incredibly important as it is one of the only means to identify and monitor sources of harm and death to the many species that live in our waters,” the organization said in a statement. “Sadly, for many of them, these sources are from human activities, which means this work is critical to our collective efforts to protect and recover these animals, especially as several are at some level of risk of extinction.”

The new facility offers several advantages for MARS, including the ability to conduct more necropsies, sample fresh carcasses immediately for higher-quality data, and provide a safe and specialized space for responders and technicians. The lab will also be used for critical training for both new and existing staff, as well as partners and students, further enhancing the organization’s outreach and education efforts.