Dead dwarf sperm whale washes ashore in Katwijk

A dead dwarf sperm whale washed ashore Friday on the beach at Katwijk, RTL reports. Biologist Lonneke IJsseldijk of Utrecht University said it is possible, though not certain, that the whale is the same individual that earlier stranded in Belgium. “But it could also be a different one,” IJsseldijk said. “Dwarf sperm whales wash ashore a few times each year.”

Earlier this week in the Belgian seaside town of Heist, a six-meter male dwarf sperm whale was found. Attempts to return it to the sea failed twice, and it washed ashore again before a third effort succeeded.

The whale in Katwijk is also approximately six meters long and male. IJsseldijk will study the animal, which has been transported to Utrecht for further examination.

“I want to carefully examine the animal,” she told reporters. “We will also contact Belgian authorities to see if it had any distinguishing features, like a wound or spot, to possibly confirm whether it is the same whale.”

IJsseldijk will also attempt to determine the cause of death, though she noted the research must proceed quickly. “The animal is already decomposing; it has been dead for some time.”