Two deep-sea whales not native to Dutch waters die on Heemskerk beach

Two spade-toothed whales that washed ashore Saturday morning on the beach of Heemskerk have died, according to marine mammal rescue organization SOS Dolfijn. One of the animals died naturally, while the other was euthanized by a veterinarian due to its condition.

Bystanders initially attempted to push the whales back into the sea, but that is prohibited and highly discouraged, said beach warden Marco Snijders, who assisted in recovering the animals. “That is absolutely not allowed,” he told NH. “They were in very poor condition and clearly beyond saving.”

Spade-toothed whales are deep-sea animals that do not belong in the North Sea, according to SOS Dolfijn. “These animals cannot navigate shallow waters properly. Once they end up here, the situation is immediately critical. The humane choice is euthanasia,” said Rianne.

Both whales have been prepared for transport to Utrecht University, where specialists will conduct a necropsy to determine the cause of the stranding, said Rianne from SOS Dolfijn. The organization frequently assists in responding to such incidents across the Netherlands.