
Celebration of Blue World Institute’s 25th anniversary and LIFE DELFI project final event
The Blue World Institute was founded exactly 25 years ago!...
29.01.2018
Blue World Institute received an information about dead whale near Lošinj on 23 January 2018. Dead whale got entangled in a trawling net and was brought by the fishermen to Male Orjule island.
Dead fin whale found near Lošinj, 24 Jan 2018
Blue Word Institute researchers checked and measured the dead animal and established it was 11,7 m long female fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). We presume it is the same individual that has been observed near Rovanjska on 6 January. Although impressive in size this was a juvenile animal. When born young fin whales already have some 5-6 m in length. They stay with their mother for some 6-8 months nursing and when weaned they already have some 10 – 12 m. Fin whale is the only Mysticetes that inhabits Mediterranean and is occasionally present in the Adriatic.
The closer inspection of the animal did not reveal any injuries on the body that could indicate the cause of death. The animal looked emaciated so we presume it died of weakness (caused by starvation and/or sickness). Larger number of parasitic copepod crustaceans (Pennella sp.) was found on the animal’s body. This parasites burry part of their body into the subcutaneous tissue of the whales, and larger number indicate possible compromise in the immune system of the dead fin whale.
As whale has been found near Lošinj, Blue World Institute wants to preserve the skeleton of this animal. Due to the size of the animal and the location it was found on, taking it ashore and transfering to some location where appropriate sanitary and veterinary precautions could be taken while doing the autopsy and cleaning of the bones was not possible. Therefore, we decided to leave the animal in the sea so that the natural decomposition of the soft tissues cleans the bones. After most tissue is degraded and decomposed, the bones will be taken out for final clean-up and preservation.
Dead fin whale near Lošinj, 24 Jan 2018
During 24 January the animal was lifted from the bottom, wrapped with the strong net and tied with ropes in order to prevent the bones from getting lost. The animal was towed to another location near Lošinj and was sunk to the bottom at some 20 m depth. During the following months researchers will regularly visit the location, monitor, and document the process of decomposition of the whale in the sea.
Fin whale is strictly protected species so handling the animal requires appropriate permits. Therefore, we reported the finding and requested appropriate permits from the State institute for environment and nature protection, Ministry of environment and energetics, Public institution Priroda, Harbour masters office Mali Lošinj and Marine police. In addition, we informed the Mayor of Mali Lošinj and Mali Lošinj Tourist board about our activities.
As the entire action happened in winter conditions on the sea Blue World Institute sought help from a number of organisations and individuals who gladly offered their support. The entire action was finished in a day with help from divers from the Institute, the Firefighters Association of Lošinj and Underwater Club INA Kostrena and with support of Elektroprimorje company with their vessel. We would like to thank all of them!
Photo: Blue World Institute, Mario Bonić i Danijel Pavlović
Dead fin whale near Lošinj, 24 Jan 2018
Dead fin whale near Lošinj, 24 Jan 2018
Dead fin whale near Lošinj, 24 Jan 2018
Dead fin whale near Lošinj, 24 Jan 2018
Dead fin whale near Lošinj, 24 Jan 2018
Dead fin whale near Lošinj, 24 Jan 2018
Dead fin whale near Lošinj, 24 Jan 2018
Dead fin whale near Lošinj, 24 Jan 2018
Dead fin whale near Lošinj, 24 Jan 2018
Dead fin whale near Lošinj, 24 Jan 2018
Dead fin whale near Lošinj, 24 Jan 2018
Dead fin whale near Lošinj, 24 Jan 2018
Dead fin whale near Lošinj, 24 Jan 2018
Dead fin whale near Lošinj, 24 Jan 2018
Dead fin whale near Lošinj, 24 Jan 2018
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