Rare Discovery: 15-Meter Whale Found Dead on Colonia Beach, Uruguay

Uruguayan authorities made a rare discovery on Colonia Beach as a 15-meter whale washed up dead. This remarkable finding is believed to be the first of its kind in the past century. Found on Tuesday, the enormous mammal appeared to have been deceased for several days, possibly succumbing to heavy rains.

The owner of the Kerayvoty reserve, Julio Medina, has sought assistance from the National Directorate of Aquatic Resources (Dinara) to deal with this extraordinary situation. Medina mentioned that the animal appears to be a blue whale. Local fishermen were the first to notify Medina about the whale’s presence. In similar cases involving such large specimens, Dinara typically transports them to a special sanitary landfill.

Measuring 15.5 meters in length and 3.4 meters in width, the Kerayvoty personnel, specifically veterinarian Martín Lima, will determine the whale’s species based on these measurements, its folds, and the color of its baleen. Lima noted that the animal has been deceased for at least 10 days, resulting in a rather unpleasant state and the absence of any surface wounds.

Dinara Director, Jaime Coronel, stated that the whale’s death is not preliminarily related to the recent outbreak of avian flu in the region, which has affected sea lions. Coronel confirmed that there is no connection between the whale’s demise and avian flu. However, to ascertain the cause of death and rule out bird flu, a necropsy will be conducted next Friday.

Remarkably, the last time a blue whale was discovered dead in Uruguay was 100 years ago, making this finding of significant scientific and historical value. Currently lying on the beach, the whale awaits the upcoming studies scheduled for Friday. Meanwhile, Dinara and the City of Colonia are making arrangements for its burial.

This extraordinary discovery has captivated both locals and the scientific community, offering a unique opportunity to learn more about these magnificent creatures and their presence in Uruguayan waters. As the investigation into the whale’s cause of death continues, it is hoped that valuable insights will be gained, shedding light on the ocean’s mysteries and the delicate balance of marine life.