Story By: Pol F, Sub-Editor: Joe Golder, Agency: Newsflash

A 20 meter (65 feet) long sperm whale ended up dying stranded in the sea, despite the efforts of rescuers and marine corps, due to the strong tide and the weight of the animal.

The sperm whale was found stranded in the “Bajos” area, in the bay of the the city of La Paz, located in the state of Baja California Sur, an important regional commercial center, in the Western area of Mexico, yesterday, 16th November.

The Federal Attorney’s Office for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) activated it’s Marine Mammal Stranding Network, which was attended by several members who were experts in this type of action.

Given the weight and size of the marine mammal, several manoeuvres were necessary to return to the sperm whale offshore.

Unfortunately, the tidal conditions and the weight of the majestic animal were such that the effort made by the members of the Network present were not successful and the marine mammal died a few hours later.

After the sad incident, the Marine Stranding network of La Paz said that the whale “was too big and heavy”.

They also added that although “they tried to tow it with 4 boats, its large size and the tide conditions were not favourable”.

These events took place just four days after, in Bahia Asuncion, another bay in Baja California Sur, another similar stranding of a Humpback Whale occurred, which did not survive either.

The sperm whale is listed as vulnerable as reported in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Endangered Species even though it can be found all across the world.

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