Two Sowerbys Beaked Whales stranded in Waterford pass away
Helvic Head. Picture Shannon Sweeney
Two Sowerbys Beaked Whales stranded in Helvic have died.
The animals stranded last Thursday, August 7 and were juveniles, one male and one female.
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group said in a post on social media that strandings like this are sad but rare.
"Another loss for Ireland’s deep-diving whales: on Thursday, August 7, when two juvenile Sowerby’s beaked whales live-stranded at Helvic, Co. Waterford — and, sadly but as expected with deep-diving whales, both passed away.
These elusive creatures typically inhabit the deep water canyons beyond the continental shelf edge, so strandings like this are exceptionally rare.
We’re immensely grateful to everyone who responded swiftly, the local community, IWDG volunteers, RNLI Helvic, Waterford County Council, IWDG veterinary network and the National Parks and Wildlife Service for funding a post‑mortem at Cork Regional Veterinary Laboratories with IWDG," wrote the IWDG.
According to the IWDG, Sowerbys Beaked Whales are deep-divers, usually one to two kilometres deep.
So when they strand, they don't survive, and responders can only provide palliative care.
However, there have been a worrying number of strandings in Europe recently.
The IWDG say this stranding in Helvic follows a stranding in Suffolk in England and two in the Netherlands.
Four Northern Bottlenose Whales stranded in Orkney recently, as well as two True Beaked Whales in Mayo.
The IWDG say that if the public comes across a stranded animal, they should not try to return it to the water.
Instead, contact the IWDG Emergency Stranding Hotline immediately on 097 28118.
They ask that you take photos of the animal for identification, and videos so they can assess the animal's behaviour and condition and site conditions.
The IWDG also advise the public that stranded animals are dangerous and may thrash around.
They have powerful tails and can cause injury to humans who are too close.
