Male giant sperm whale found dead off Zamboanga

Wikipedia photo shows a mother and a baby sperm whale.

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr 

ZAMBOANGA CITY (May 26, 2018) - A male giant sperm whale or “cachalot” was found dead floating near Sacol Island located east of this city, an official said Friday.

Dr. Arnedo Agbayani, Animal Health Division chief of the Office of the City Veterinarian (OCVet), said they were not able to conduct necropsy to determine the cause of the whale's death since it is already in the advance state of decomposition.

Agbayani said the coastguard pulled the dead animal to the shore of Barangay Sangali around 6 p.m. Thursday, where it was immediately buried.

Agbayani said the whale, which is estimated to be three years old,  measured 6.5 meters in length and weighed two tons.

He said the dead mammal could have separated from its mother and was disoriented due to illegal fishing. Sperm whales aged four to 21 should still be in the company of their mother while navigating the high seas. (PNA)