CONCERN MOUNTS: Another whale washes up in Donegal

Another whale has washed up in Donegal, causing concern about what is causing the strandings.

Pollen Bay, Isle of Dooagh, Co Donegal. Photo credit: Conor McGuckin

As of now, 7 or 8 cuviers beaked whales have been reported washed up along the north and west coasts over the last week. The stranding of the animals are unexplained, and comes after several others were discovered dead on the Donegal, Galway, Sligo  and Mayo coastlines.

Inishowen Whales and Dolphins group took to Facebook this afternoon saying "Another Beaked whale reported stranded at the castles , Isle of Doagh. If anyone can reach the animal before the next high tide it might be a good idea to mark the animal, to make sure if it is taken by the tide and washed up again, it can be identified as one that has already been recorded."

Speaking to iRadio, Mick O’Connell, coordinator of the IWDG Cetacean Stranding Scheme said that the investigation will be looking at evidence. Unfortunately, post mortem's cannot take place as the animals remains are quite decomposed. He added that the mammals all washed up in bad condition, looking like they may have died around the same time at sea.

"They probably all died at the same time, which doesn't sound like a natural event", he said.

Source: Gareth and Amanda Doherty via iwdg.ie

Mick added that at this point, this is purely speculation, but it may be due to some kind of human interaction. Based on things that have happened before in Greece and the Bahamas, strandings can occur with nearby naval manouvers.

A similar event happened in late 2014-early 2015 when eleven whales washed up in the west and north coasts. At the same time, sixteen washed up in Scotland.

If you spot any whales or sea creatures being washes up, you're urged to report to iwdg.ie.

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