A 14.3-meter sperm whale was discovered off Hörnum’s coast and towed to the harbor for recovery. The whale’s remains will be dismembered for transport to an animal rendering plant, where thorough examinations will be conducted to determine the cause of death. Experts suspect pollution, particularly plastic, might be involved. While strandings are uncommon in the North Sea, this incident highlights the impact of human activity on marine life. Public safety precautions are advised due to the decaying carcass.
Discovery and Recovery of a Sperm Whale
A massive sperm whale, measuring over 14 meters in length, was discovered off the coast of Hörnum and subsequently towed to the harbor. The deceased marine mammal has been successfully recovered and is now undergoing preparations for transport.
The 14.3-meter-long sperm whale was brought to the shore using heavy machinery typically employed for sand replenishment. On Monday afternoon, a bulldozer was utilized to pull the whale onto the beach of Hörnum, marking the beginning of the recovery process.
Scientific Examination and Potential Causes of Death
To facilitate transport, the decaying whale carcass will be dismembered and subsequently loaded into containers for truck transport to an animal rendering plant in Jagel, located in the Schleswig-Flensburg district.
Upon arrival in Jagel, the whale’s remains will undergo a thorough scientific examination conducted by the Veterinary University of Hanover. Experts from the Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW) in Büsum will take samples to investigate the animal’s condition and determine the possible cause of death, a process that may take several weeks.
According to Dennis Schaper from the Wattenmeer Protection Station, it is likely that a significant amount of plastic will be discovered in the whale’s stomach, similar to findings from sperm whale carcasses in previous years. Pollution is considered a critical factor contributing to whale fatalities.
The young sperm whale, which has likely been deceased for some time, raises questions regarding the circumstances of its death. Expert insights suggest that human activities or even solar storms affecting the whale’s navigation could be potential contributors.
Initial sightings of the whale occurred on Friday evening, with shellfish fishermen towing the body toward Hörnum harbor the following day. The male whale, initially estimated to be 16 meters long, was confirmed to have been dead for a considerable duration. As the investigation unfolds, further details about the cause of death will be revealed.
The Wattenmeer Protection Station has advised the public to maintain a safe distance from the carcass due to the risks associated with decaying marine life. The animal was already displaying signs of decay, with internal gases causing structural weaknesses in the body. Additionally, the presence of parasites and bacteria further emphasizes the importance of safety precautions.
It is noteworthy that sperm whale strandings in the North Sea are relatively uncommon. The last significant occurrence was recorded in 1995, with a notable incident in 2016 when 30 sperm whales stranded in a short timeframe. Researchers investigating these strandings have concluded that multiple environmental factors likely contributed to the whales’ unusual proximity to the coastline. While no evidence of disease was found, the challenges of navigating the shallow waters of the North Sea may have played a role in these strandings.
This event serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding marine life and the impact of human activity on ocean ecosystems.
For more updates on this story, tune in to NDR 1 Welle Nord, which reported on this topic on February 17, 2025, at 7:30 PM.