A sperm whale specimen of about 10 meters in length has been found this Sunday in an advanced state of decomposition on the beach of Cofete, on the island of Fuerteventura.
According to the Cabildo, after a warning from the Civil Guard of Morro Jable, environmental agents and personnel from the Ministry of Environment went to the area for the preliminary investigation and removal of the body.
For its part, the sperm whale will be taken to the landfill, where it will be made available to the Canary Islands Cetacean Stranding Network of the Government of the Canary Islands, where samples will be taken to determine the biological variables characteristic of the species.
In this sense, although the cause of death cannot always be determined, these biological tests are essential to know the state of the population and to help manage conservation plans.
Likewise, it will be possible to verify, if the state of decomposition allows it, the presence of plastics in the stomach or if it has suffered collisions with maritime vessels or entanglements in fishing gear, the main problems of this species in our archipelago.
Finally, last Tuesday a fin whale stranded north of Corralejo, measuring 4.60 meters and weighing 360 kilograms, which was removed after a warning from the Local Police.