A dwarf sperm whale was discovered dead on the shore at Vunito Goloa Village in Ra on Thursday morning. This species is the smallest among whales and even smaller than many dolphins.
Local villagers reported that the whale appeared to have injuries. Village headman Josefa Manakiwai noted the mammal measured approximately 3.6 meters in length. He mentioned that villagers returning from an early morning fishing trip found the whale on the beach, estimating it had died sometime that night or early that morning.
Manakiwai suggested the whale may have been attacked by a large shark while in open waters, as marks were visible on its body. He commented that whales rarely wash ashore unless they are injured at sea, recalling a similar incident in 1993 when another injured whale was found on the shore.
Rusiate Waqata, the service center manager with the Ministry of Fisheries in Rakiraki, confirmed the mammal’s identification as a dwarf sperm whale, stating that it was likely bitten before becoming stranded.