The Environmental Protection Agency (PROFEPA) in Mexico responded Monday to reports of a dead marine mammal’s body at Play de Oro in Puerto Vallarta.
Investigators found a Dwarf Sperm Whale measuring 2.27 meters in length with three cuts to the skull and nine on the back, consistent with a medium size boat propeller, which was the determined cause of death.
The body of the whale was bloated and omitting an odor, indicating the body had been at sea for an extended amount of time. Authorities buried the whale on the beach out of the threat of high tides.
The dwarf sperm whale is the smallest species commonly known as a whale. It grows up to 2.7 m (8.9 ft) in length and 250 kilograms (550 lb) in weight— making it smaller than the bigger dolphins. The species makes slow, deliberate movements with little splash or blow and usually lies motionless when at the sea’s surface. Consequently it is usually observed only in very calm seas.
The dwarf sperm whale is protect under Mexico’s environmental protection laws.
