A dead whale has washed up on the coast of gran Canaria. The carcass was in a severe state of decomposition and was found at Playa de Bocabarranco in Telde.
according to Pascual Calabuig,a veterinarian at the Cabildo de Gran Canaria Wildlife Recreation Center,the whale had many shark bites. Samples should be taken and facts collected to determine the cause of death.
Sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis) usually reach between twelve and 16 meters in length and weigh between 20 and 30 tonnes. Larger specimens can be up to 20 meters long and weigh 45 tonnes. This species of whale is found all over the world in deeper waters. It has been under international protection as 1976 and is now listed as endangered on the “Red List”.
Sharks and whales in the waters of the Canary Islands
With its rich marine fauna and consistent water temperature and also the great water depth between the individual Canary Islands, the Canary Islands provide a fantastic habitat for hundreds of different marine creatures.
These include sharks, rays, whales and dolphins from dozens of different genera.The islands are also popular for spotting whales and dolphins, known as “whale watching”.
The distribution should be done soon. This is what is known as an autopsy on animals. Among othre things, the measure is intended to clarify whether the whale died of natural causes and did not serve as food for some sharks, which is considered likely.
Fast ferries from the Canary Islands are dangerous for whales
Ferry accidents occur repeatedly in the waters of the Canary Islands. Fast ferries are especially considered dangerous to marine mammals.They are traveling faster than the animals at their normal travel speed. Collisions usually end in:
See also:
researchers: fast ferries could wipe out sperm whales from Canary Islands