25 November 2006

A minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), one of the few whale species known to occur off the coast of Cornwall, was found dead on Pothcothan beach on Saturday. "This is quite a rare event" says Joana Doyle, Marine Conservation Officer for the Cornwall Wildlife Trust. "The last time a minke whale stranded in Cornwall was in 2003".

The Cornwall Wildlife Trust Marine Strandings Network (MSN) received a call from a member of the public on the Strandings hotline at 1pm on Saturday reporting that they had seen a large whale stranded on the beach.

Coincidentally most of the strandings volunteers were at Truro College where they were participating in the annual Strandings Forum, which meant that there were several veterinary pathologists present who could, if necessary, conduct a post-mortem examination on the beach. So a team of vets and volunteers set off to find the whale and record what they could from it.

Minke whales are the most abundant and the smallest of the 'rorqual' or large whales, reaching lengths of up to 8.5 metres. Joana says: "Although seeing a minke whale off Cornwall would be considered a very rare treat, sightings of minke whales are reported each year. Last year 17 minke whale sightings were reported from Cornwall. Sightings of minke whales tend to be restricted to the summer months however, this stranding and some historical strandings occurred during the winter. Whether minke whales are still around the coast at this time of year, but simply are not being seen, or whether this animal was an exception is not clear."

On arrival at the scene, it was clear to the vets and strandings volunteers that this 7.2m long female minke whale was not fresh enough for a post-mortem examination. Its tissue was decomposing and the carcass already smelt, so it had clearly been dead for some time.

The strandings volunteers and vets measured the animal, took photographs and investigated the outside of the animal, looking for any indications of how the animal died. The cause of death was not obvious; however a circular mark was noticed around the tail stock of the whale, which could have been sustained through entanglement in a lobster pot buoy rope. Whether the injury was sustained before or after the whale died is not clear. Samples of skin, tissue and blubber were taken to check for contaminants in the blubber and for genetic studies.

Joana says: "It is always sad seeing such a large, enigmatic mammal dead on a beach but on a positive note, this story highlights how efficiently the Marine Strandings Network in Cornwall operates to ensure that all carcasses are recorded."

She continues: "This is the first of many strandings we are expecting in the coming months. Over 70% of cetacean (dolphin, porpoise and whale) strandings in Cornwall occur between January and March. This year we have already had 158 strandings of cetaceans and this number is likely to increase before the New Year. We are asking the public to be particularly vigilant and to report any dead marine stranded animals including dolphins, porpoises, whales, seals and birds to the Strandings Hotline immediately on 0845 201 2626."

The chart below shows recorded minke whale strandings in Cornwall since 1997.

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