The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has said recent multiple strandings of deep-diving cetacean species are a “cause for concern”.
It was commenting after two rare deep-diving True’s beaked whales were live-stranded at Kilcummin Back Strand, Co Mayo, last Sunday, July 27th.
Two Sowerby’s beaked whales also live stranded on Saturday in the Netherlands.
Four Northern bottlenose whales—another deep-diving beaked whale species —stranded last week in Orkney off the north coast of Scotland.
“ While we do not know if these events are linked, multiple strandings of deep-diving species in a short time frame are always a cause for concern and close monitoring,”the IWDG says.
The mother and calf pair which stranded in Mayo were seen swimming rapidly into shallow waters just before peak high tide, and subsequently beaching themselves on the shore, it says.
“Unfortunately, the mother whale died within moments of stranding, while the calf managed to free itself and swim away,”it says.
“A post mortem led by Dr Frank O’Sullivan of Dublin Zoo revealed the mother was lactating, indicating that this was a maternally dependent calf, which will likely not survive,” the IWDG says.
Dr O’Sullivan was assisted by veterinary students Luke Mase and Noah McNaughton and by local residents.
“The rare footage recorded by a member of the public offers a rare opportunity to witness pre-stranding behaviour, providing invaluable insight into this elusive species,” it says.
“This was a very distressing incident for those present, and the IWDG is extremely grateful to the members of the public who quickly alerted us via the IWDG emergency hotline, and to our trained IWDG Live stranding responders who immediately responded,” it says.
“True’s Beaked whales are an elusive, deep-diving species that inhabit offshore waters beyond the continental shelf. They are adapted to dive to depths of over 800 metres in search of squid and deep-sea fish. Their presence in shallow coastal waters is well outside their natural habitat and often signals a serious underlying issue such as illness, injury, or acoustic trauma,” the IWDG says.
“Live strandings of beaked whales are particularly concerning as, unlike coastal dolphins, these animals are not suitable candidates for refloating due to the distance from their natural habitat, and the high likelihood of re-stranding,” it says.
“Many thanks to those living locally who were very kind and helpful to the veterinary team also,”it says.
“ Due to time limitations and incoming tides, the whale's head was removed for further examination at University College Dublin. These examinations can reveal crucial information about the animal’s health, nutrition, injuries, stomach contents, and disease,” it says.
“Ireland currently does not have a state-funded post-mortem scheme for whales, dolphins, or porpoises, so the IWDG extends sincere thanks to the veterinary team volunteering their time and expertise to investigate this case,” it says.
Anyone who comes across a live stranded whale, dolphin or porpoise should call the IWDG hotline at 0 (97) 28 118
Read the IWDG account here
