A dead five-metre-long whale, found stranded at Qawra, was sunk far out at sea yesterday in view of the potential health hazard, after measurements and samples were taken.
The options were either to carry out an autopsy on the Cuvier’s beaked whale or to bury it to eventually retrieve its skeleton for scientific purposes, said Nature Trust executive president Vince Attard.
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority said the standard, official protocol for cetacean stranding was followed, with the involvement of the various stakeholders.
The cause of death had not yet been determined but from markings in the form of scratches on the whale’s tail, the first indication was that it was caught in nets and probably drowned, Mr Attard said.
“These mammals breathe outside water, so if they are dragged under, they drown,” he explained.
“At first glance, it appeared there were no other markings of, for example, gunshots,” he said. (People on the scene on Wednesday had reported seeing marks which appeared to be similar to gunshots)
The dead mammal was washed ashore on Wednesday and the Nature Trust marine rescue team was called in before it was handed over to Mepa.
Known as Cuvier’s beaked whale, or goosebeak whale, it is a rare species, also found in the Mediterranean. But it is so rarely sighted that almost all information about it has come from studying stranded animals, Mr Attard said. Cuvier’s beaked whale has a tendency to get stranded more often than any other beaked species, and stranded specimens have been noted in most oceans.
The whale could have been trapped in the nets in Sicilian waters, Mr Attard said, adding that, being in a good state of preservation, it could have served to understand better what species are found around the Maltese islands.
These whales have a robust body and a small head, which is about 10 per cent of their body length. Their forehead slopes to a short beak, and their mouth turns upward, giving them a goose-like profile.
One of their more interesting features is that the adult males have two large teeth, about two inches long, protruding from the tip of the lower jaw. The males use these in fights over females, which have smaller, more pointed teeth that remain embedded in the gums.
Conservation biologist Adriana Vella from the Biological Conservation Research Foundation was also called on site to inspect the whale prior to its disposal out at sea.
She said it was unfortunate the animal could not be kept for further investigations.
Dr Vella has managed to keep the carcasses of dolphin specimens found stranded a number of years ago and is currently finalising the set-up of their skeletons at the University of Malta for the benefit of education and awareness. She said it was “a great pity this would not be the case with the whale”.
Mr Attard said the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for injured animals at Xrobb l-Għaġin would house freezers and autopsies could be carried out on the site. Funds for the €1.2 million project were still being collected.