Kazivera, Cyprus. A dead juvenile whale was found on a beach in Kazivera on Cyprus’ western coast in the north on Thursday. Taskent Doga Parki said the animal was taken to the park for a necropsy.
Whale taken for examination
According to Taskent Doga Parki, an environmental and wildlife nonprofit based in Kyrenia, the whale measured about 4.15 metres in length and weighed 1.5 tonnes.
The nonprofit said the animal was a juvenile and had been transported to the park for a necropsy.
Warning from the marine ecosystem
In a statement, Taskent Doga Parki said every marine mammal that washes ashore is an important warning from the marine ecosystem.
It said ship strikes, ghost nets and underwater noise are among the many possible reasons for such deaths.
Appeal to the public
The nonprofit urged people who find washed-up marine mammals not to approach or interfere with them and instead to notify the appropriate authorities.
It said this would help ensure that the cause of death is accurately determined and that action can be taken to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
“The health of our oceans is our shared responsibility,” the statement said. “Every loss serves as a reminder of just how urgent and important it is to protect nature.”
Recent similar incident
Although such incidents are rare, this was not the first recent case in Cyprus.
In February, a dead whale was found on a beach near the Famagusta district village of Akanthou.