The animal found dead on Wednesday morning in the sea off Caniço has been identified as a Blainville’s beaked whale, not a dolphin as initial reports indicated, given the similarities between the two species.
The alert was raised by locals who spotted the whale floating near the Galo Mar bathing complex, and the incident mobilized the Maritime Police, the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN), and the Madeira Whale Museum.
In statements to DIÁRIO, Luís Freitas, coordinator of the Science Unit at the Whale Museum, confirmed the species and clarified that the animal will now be the subject of a detailed scientific intervention. “We will perform a necropsy to try to understand the causes of death. Biological samples will be collected for various studies, including stomach contents and skin samples. Then, the skeleton will be cleaned to be integrated into the reference collections,” explained the official.
The operation to collect and transport the whales was carried out by the Whale Museum, the entity that coordinates the Madeira Archipelago Cetacean Stranding Network (RACAM).
The coordinator, on that occasion, reiterated the importance of immediately reporting any sightings of dead or debilitated animals through the SOS and Rescue network.
“It’s always good to remember this. When people find these dead animals, they should report them to the Whale Museum, the maritime authorities, or the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation through the SOS and Salvage network. Then, depending on its size and condition, the animal may be brought to the museum,” concluded Luís Freitas.