Morta la balena a Sligo

Non so se avete seguito (qui in Irlanda) questa storia su radio e TV... la povera balena è morta ieri



10-tonne whale may have been dying for weeks


A 10-metre sperm whale beached in Ballisodare Bay, Co Sligo, died yesterday evening, despite attempts to return it to the sea, write Marese McDonagh & Lorna Siggins.

Dr Don Cotton, a member of the Irish Whale and Dolphin group who works with the Sligo Institute of Technology, said tests carried out by members of the Civil Defence in consultation with a veterinary doctor established that the whale had died.


The whale had also shown signs of significant emaciation, indicating it could have been dying for some weeks, Dr Cotton said. High tides today might wash the carcase further inshore, allowing for a postmortem examination to be conducted.

Earlier, Sligo County Council had established an exclusion area around the 10-tonne mammal, warning members of the public who attempted to swim out to the whale that they were putting their lives at risk.

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group co-ordinator, Dr Simon Berrow, said that little could be done to save the mammal because of its size. Once whales run ashore they lose the protection of heat-absorbing water and can bake in their own blubber. If they are sick or stressed, the precise cause of death can be difficult to determine.

The male whale was spotted at about 8.20am yesterday by Niall Mugan, a native of Co Sligo who is home on holidays but works as a wildlife ranger in New Zealand.

"He was about 2km offshore at the time and was moving into Ballisodare Bay. I guessed he might get caught when the tide dropped."

Mr Mugan said the whale got caught on a sandbank between Culleenamore and Strandhill beaches when the tide turned, about an hour after he first spotted it.

He said he was horrified to see people trying to swim out to the whale, which was in an emaciated condition.

Sperm whales, who have the largest brains on earth, are also known for their large tail flukes and angled spout.

© The Irish Times