Investigations are continuing into the cause of death of a Blainville’s beaked whale which washed ashore at Spoon Bay last Thursday afternoon, March 10.
The dead animal was female and measured over 4m long.
The Dolphin Project spokesperson, Ronny Ling, said the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) removed the one-ton carcass and a necropsy was conducted to determine the cause of death.
“The head was later removed and sent to the Australian Museum,” Ling said.
“Australia has over 45 different whales and dolphins that frequent our waters, and 11 are ‘beaked and bottle-nosed whales’.
“They can range in size from around 3.5m to 13m and it is often hard to determine the species as some look very similar.
“Often the species is only determined by x-raying the skull to see the position of unerupted teeth.”
Ling said the animals usually live in deep water off the continental shelf.
“Their diet consists mainly of squid and small fish,” he said.
“They resemble very large dolphins and are the deepest divers of all the whale species.
“Blainville’s beaked whales usually live in groups of 3 to 7, although groups of 12 have been observed.
“This particular species range from 4.5m to 6m in length when mature.”
Ling urged members of the public who see a whale, dolphin or seal to call Central Coast Dolphin Project on 0490 401 969, or if the animal is entangled or distressed, call NPWS on 13 000 72757.
Terry Collins