Palinurus
The Living Force
Source (in Dutch): Dode bultrug aangespoeld op Vlieland, eerste keer in 10 jaar
Similar: Dode bultrug spoelt aan bij de kust van Vlieland
Investigation into cause of death
Dead humpback whale washed ashore on Vlieland, first time in 10 years
05 July 2022 13:22 Updated: 1 hour 46 minutes ago
The dead humpback whale - Image RTLNieuws
A dead humpback whale was found on Vlieland this morning. The animal was lying on the Vliehors, a western strip of beach on the island. The humpback was seen off the Belgian and Dutch coasts in May and June, reports the SOS Dolphin Foundation, based on its external characteristics.
According to the website walvisstrandingen.nl, this is the first time in 10 years that a humpback has washed ashore in our country. Then it happened on 12 December 2012 on the uninhabited small island of Razende Bol, near Texel.
Humpback whale Johannes [John]
At the time, the washed-up humpback even was given a name: Johannes. The animal washed ashore alive, and died a few days later. Two veterinarians actually injected the animal to put it out of its misery, but that did not work. Later the animal died anyway of acute muscle damage (in Dutch).
Humpback whale Johannes in 2012- Image: RTLNieuws
According to a spokesperson for SOS Dolphin, the animal found on Vlieland is now being examined by researchers from Wageningen University, Utrecht University and Naturalis. The animal will be towed to Harlingen. "There it will be examined what the cause of death is," said the researchers.
The stomach contents of the animal will also be analyzed. "That can provide important insights into whether the humpback whale has been feeding in the North Sea."
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Similar: Dode bultrug spoelt aan bij de kust van Vlieland
[...]
People discovered the dead animal today at 09:30 at De Vliehors, the sandy area on the west side of Vlieland. This area is military training ground and visitors are not allowed on the beach there. According to experts, the whale is seven meters long, which means that it is still a young humpback. Adult humpbacks can grow much larger.
[...]