Beaked Whale Stranding

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Beaked Whale Stranding

DECC blainvilles beaked whale feb 2010#2

Blainvilles Beaked Whale stranded Fingal Head, NSW 2/02/2010 Photo courtesy of DECC 2010

On the 2nd of February this year a rare and very strange looking animal was found on a beach just south of the Tweed River mouth at Fingal Head. The animal was found to be belonging to the Toothed Whale family, specifically a Blainville’s Beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris).

These whales can grow up to 6 metres and inhabit deep ocean trenches where they dive down deep, sometimes for as long as 45 minutes in search of squid. Adult males have a tusk like tooth projecting from this bulge which extends above their head and is used for fighting other males over females.  Little is known about these animals as they live far out to sea in ocean trenches and seldom breach or disturb the surface when they come up to breathe.

It is unknown why the animal died, however, it is likely that it was sick or injured.