A 30ft whale had to be hoisted out by crane after washing up at a marina in a city popular with British tourists.
The huge creature was spotted at the entrance to the Real Club Náutico de Valencia, Spain, at around midday on Monday (16 Feb).
The carcass measured a staggering 9m and weighed an estimated 6.5 tonnes.
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It was identified as a female fin whale (balaenoptera physalus), the world’s second-largest cetacean after the blue whale.
The animal was towed to the water’s edge, where a crane belonging to the club was used to lift the bulky mammal onto dry land.
Once ashore in Valencia, veterinarians examined the carcass and found no bruising or haemorrhaging consistent with a collision with a vessel – the most common cause of death in this species.
Samples were taken and sent to the histopathology department at Universidad CEU San Pablo, as well as to Universidad Complutense de Madrid, for further analysis.
The remainder of the whale was later loaded onto a lorry and transported to an incineration plant for cremation.
Fin whales are found in all the world’s major oceans, from polar to tropical waters, as reported by Need To Know.
Despite their vast range, they are classified as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to the long-term impact of commercial whaling and slow population recovery.
The largest fin whale ever recorded measured 27m.
Oceanogràfic València described the discovery as “a striking reminder of the rich biodiversity found in our sea”.
The oceanarium said: “Although fin whales are a regular presence in the Mediterranean, the discovery of one dead underlines the need to continue researching and taking action to protect marine ecosystems.
“The cause of death remains unknown, and the post-mortem examination will be crucial in determining what happened and helping to strengthen conservation efforts.”
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