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Stranded Whale found near the Molly Gulch
Photos from James Glass (left)
and Drew Campbell (below)
show a stranded beaked whale,
probably Shepherd's Beaked Whale
Tasmacetus shepherdi
on
a boulder beach
near The Administrator's Hut / the Molly Gulch
on Sunday 9th March 2014
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PWD Director Drew Campbell reports that the whale may have been around the area for a few days prior to stranding. He saw a large whale of same species in exactly that area on the Thursday prior to the Fri/Sat stranding when aboard the Seaspray with Gary Repetto and Phillip Rogers accompanying Stuart McPherson on a filming trip. The whale surfaced very close to the boat, but unfortunately dived very shortly after so no film was made. Shaun Green reported on Saturday afternoon that he thought they had seen a stranded whale at the Admin's hut when passing by boat that afternoon.
When Drew found the whale on Saturday early evening it was very fresh with very little sign of discolouring, bloating or smell. There was already internal pressure forcing material from the mouth and anal areas, but generally the carcass was still in good condition. The two visiting marine biologists Holly and Rohan also report seeing what could have been a Shepherds Beaked whale on the previous Sunday so it is possible the whale had been in the area for quite some time.
We aim to publish any reports and images of whales seen at sea or discovered stranded as knowledge of whales, especially the beaked species, is patchy. |
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