Xcalak, Q.R. — The body of a deceased whale was reported to authorities by local fishermen after they spotted it along the Caribbean coast in the town of Xcalak.
Area fishermen reported the finding Tuesday after seeing it floating near the shore in the community of Xcalak, south of Mahahual. Environmental authorities attended to the site where the whale was found in a protected natural area.
Personnel from the National Commission for Natural Protected Areas (Conanp) arrived to investigate and transfer the body to their facilities for further studies. They report that the whale, which was approximately four meters in length and 200 kilos, is likely that of a young Pygmy Right Whale, although the exact species was still being determined.
Authorities will investigate to determine its species and cause of death. It is the second whale to wash up on southern beaches in recent weeks.
Two weeks ago, a team from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute in Belize attended to the report of a deceased whale near Cayos Ahogados. That whale was determined to be an 18-meter long Baleen Whale.
The day before, a dead 20-meter Blue Whale was discovered by area fishermen washed up on a beach area of Lagunas de Chacahua in the state of Oaxaca. This latest whale at Xcalak is the third this month.
