Minke whale stranded in Cornwall
14/02/2007 00:00:00
November 2006. A Minke whale, one of the few whale species known to occur off the coast of Cornwall, was found dead on Porthcothan beach. Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Marine Strandings Network was alerted by a member of the public.
Unfortunately most of the Strandings volunteers were at Truro College where they were participating in the annual Strandings Forum. However this also meant that there were several veterinary pathologists present, who could conduct a post mortem examination on the beach.
On arrival at the scene, it was apparent to the vets and Strandings volunteers that this 7.2m long female Minke whale was not fresh enough for a post mortem examination. Its tissue was decomposing and the carcass already smelt, so it had clearly been dead for some time.
Joana Doyle, Marine Conservation Officer for Cornwall Wildlife Trust said, ‘This is quite a rare event. The last time a minke whale stranded in Cornwall was in 2003. Minke whales are the most abundant and the smallest of the ‘rorqual’ or large whales, reaching lengths of up to 8.5m. In 2005, just 17 Minke whale sightings were reported from Cornwall. So, although seeing a Minke whale off Cornwall would be considered a rare treat, sightings of Minke whales are reported each year.
However, sightings of Minke whales tend to be restricted to the summer months, though curiously, as illustrated by this and past strandings, they tend to happen during the winter. Whether minke whales are still around the coast at this time of year but simply are not being seen, or whether this animal was an exception is not clear.
The Strandings volunteers and vets measured the animal, took photographs and investigated the outside of the animal, looking for any indications of how the animal died. The cause of death was not obvious, although a circular mark was noticed around the tail stock of the whale, which could have been sustained through entanglement in a lobster pot buoy rope. Whether the injury was sustained before or after the whale died is not clear. Samples of skin, tissue and blubber were taken to check for contaminants in the blubber and for genetic studies.
Joana continued, ‘It is always sad seeing such a large, enigmatic mammal dead on a beach but on a positive note, this story highlights how efficiently the Trust’s Marine Strandings Network operates in Cornwall to ensure that all carcasses are recorded.
‘This is the first of many strandings we are expecting in the coming months. Over 70% of cetacean (dolphin, porpoise and whale) strandings in Cornwall occur between January and March. This year, we have already had 158 strandings of cetaceans and this number is likely to increase before the New Year. We are asking the public to be particularly vigilant and to report any dead marine stranded animals including dolphins, porpoises, whales, seals together with any stranded marine birds to the Strandings Hotline immediately on 0845 201 2626’.
For more information about the Trust’s Marine Strandings Network and to read reports on strandings in Cornwall visit www.cwtstrandings.org
On arrival at the scene, it was apparent to the vets and Strandings volunteers that this 7.2m long female Minke whale was not fresh enough for a post mortem examination. Its tissue was decomposing and the carcass already smelt, so it had clearly been dead for some time.
Joana Doyle, Marine Conservation Officer for Cornwall Wildlife Trust said, ‘This is quite a rare event. The last time a minke whale stranded in Cornwall was in 2003. Minke whales are the most abundant and the smallest of the ‘rorqual’ or large whales, reaching lengths of up to 8.5m. In 2005, just 17 Minke whale sightings were reported from Cornwall. So, although seeing a Minke whale off Cornwall would be considered a rare treat, sightings of Minke whales are reported each year.
However, sightings of Minke whales tend to be restricted to the summer months, though curiously, as illustrated by this and past strandings, they tend to happen during the winter. Whether minke whales are still around the coast at this time of year but simply are not being seen, or whether this animal was an exception is not clear.
The Strandings volunteers and vets measured the animal, took photographs and investigated the outside of the animal, looking for any indications of how the animal died. The cause of death was not obvious, although a circular mark was noticed around the tail stock of the whale, which could have been sustained through entanglement in a lobster pot buoy rope. Whether the injury was sustained before or after the whale died is not clear. Samples of skin, tissue and blubber were taken to check for contaminants in the blubber and for genetic studies.
Joana continued, ‘It is always sad seeing such a large, enigmatic mammal dead on a beach but on a positive note, this story highlights how efficiently the Trust’s Marine Strandings Network operates in Cornwall to ensure that all carcasses are recorded.
‘This is the first of many strandings we are expecting in the coming months. Over 70% of cetacean (dolphin, porpoise and whale) strandings in Cornwall occur between January and March. This year, we have already had 158 strandings of cetaceans and this number is likely to increase before the New Year. We are asking the public to be particularly vigilant and to report any dead marine stranded animals including dolphins, porpoises, whales, seals together with any stranded marine birds to the Strandings Hotline immediately on 0845 201 2626’.
For more information about the Trust’s Marine Strandings Network and to read reports on strandings in Cornwall visit www.cwtstrandings.org
