Giant Long-Beaked Whale Dies Stranded on Beach After Storm, Rescue Efforts Unsuccessful
Recently, a 60-foot (approximately 20-meter) giant long-beaked whale tragically stranded and died on the beaches of Cornwall, UK. This is a tragedy, the stranding was caused by a marine storm.
The British 'Mirror' reported on February 15th that cleanup volunteers discovered the long-beaked whale near the Cornwall coast. At 3:45 PM on the 14th, after a series of rescue efforts, the whale unfortunately died. Rescuers said the whale appeared 'severely malnourished' and may have not eaten for a while.
The report states that when the 60-foot long-beaked whale was washed ashore, it was 'very thin' and had wounds all over its body. Experts said the whale may have not eaten for a while before stranding.
Volunteers conducted the final attempt on the beach and announced its death at 3:45 PM on the 14th. It is reported that the storm attacked the British coastline after it stranded.
Footage captured on the scene recorded the last moments of the stranded whale, with rescuers pouring seawater into the long-beaked whale to try and save the mammal.
The British Marine Life Rescue Organisation (BDMLR) previously warned that when they arrived at the scene at 3:45 PM on the 14th, the whale was unlikely to survive after stranding. Experts also advised the public not to attempt to return the mammal to the sea themselves.
Rescue coordinator Julia Cable told the 'Daily Mail' website that the whale was 'thin and weak' when it stranded on the Cornwall coast, 'very uncomfortable,' and 'in poor nutritional condition.' It was clearly a long time since it had eaten.
She also said that the wounds on the whale's body were caused by stranding, but this needs to be confirmed through an autopsy. 'It's still difficult to say, but (the wounds) may be related to stranding on the rocks.'
This weekend, the whale strand investigation project will conduct an autopsy of the whale's body to determine the cause of the whale's death.
