Emaciated fin whales wash up dead on French shores
SAINT- HILAIRE-DE-RIEZ, France, Nov 16- Marine biologists are investigating the deaths of at least six whales found washed up on France’s western shores with no apparent sign of having been hit by a ship or caught in a trawler’s net. In an average year, between three and, at most, 10 whales are deposited dead on France’s beaches, they say. “We have what is almost an…
SAINT-HILAIRE-DE-RIEZ, France, Nov 16 (Reuters) – Marine
biologists are investigating the deaths of at least six whales
found washed up on France’s western shores with no apparent sign
of having been hit by a ship or caught in a trawler’s net.
Researchers on Monday used a mechanical digger and longknives to dissect a fin whale, the second largest species ofwhale after the blue whale, taking samples they believe mightreveal evidence of a viral pathogen.
In an average year, between three and, at most, 10 whalesare deposited dead on France’s beaches, they say.
“We have what is almost an epidemic or, at any rate, anabnormal spike in deaths,” said Willy Dabin, a researcher fromthe Pelagis Observatory working on the corpse.
The most recent fin whale corpse was found on Friday nearSaint-Hilaire-de-Riez. It measured nearly 16 metres and weighedan estimated 10 tonnes.
The common fin whales have all died within the past sixweeks. All have been malnourished and shown evidence ofhemorrhaging in the cardiac and respiratory systems.
“The question lurking in the background is: are humans acontributing factor in their capacity to upset the environment?”Dabin said. “Either by impacting food availability or pollutingthe living environment, which could leave the whales morevulnerable to disease.”
Officials put guards near the carcass at the weekend to keepintrigued locals at a distance.
“It’s disgusting,” said one local man. “I don’t know howthey’re going to remove it. Cut it up piece by piece?”
(Reporting by Stephane Mahe; Writing by Richard Lough; Editingby Janet Lawrence)