A dwarf sperm whale was discovered dead on the shores of Vunito Goloa Village in Ra on Thursday morning. This species is the smallest within the whale family, even smaller than most dolphins.
Locals who came across the deceased whale reported that it appeared to be injured. Village headman Josefa Manakiwai said the mammal measured approximately 3.6 meters in length. “The villagers, returning from fishing in the early morning, found it on our shore. I believe it had been dead since last night or early this morning,” he explained, adding, “It might have been bitten by a large shark while out at sea. We can see the marks on its body.”
Mr. Manakiwai noted that whales typically do not wash ashore unless they have sustained injuries in the ocean. “This is the second occurrence of its kind. The first was in 1993 when a dead whale, which was also injured, was found on our beach.”
Rusiate Waqata, the service center manager with the Ministry of Fisheries in Rakiraki, confirmed that the marine mammal was indeed a dwarf sperm whale. “It must have been bitten and ended up stranded here,” he stated.