Experts probe the death of rare whale
Coast
By
Philip Mwakio
| Sep 19, 2018
Wildlife experts and conservationists are still trying to find out what killed a 17-metre whale that washed up on a secluded beach last weekend.
Villagers rushed to extract oil and cart away body parts from the sperm whale.
According to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the villagers sawed off the parts and carted away large chunks of meat.
Experts say that the sperm whale is just emerging from the list of endangered species. Therefore, conservationists recommend that a report be made every time one dies, explaining the cause of death.
READ MORE
Tax stand-off as boda boda riders defy county call to pay
Budget cuts loom for Parliament thanks to Sh9.6b Bunge Towers
Islamic banking gets traction in Africa as Salaam Bank feted
Data privacy major challenge for Kenya's digital space, report
Angola ICT Minister: Invest in space industry to ensure a connected, peaceful Africa
NCPB sets in motion plans to compensate farmers for fake fertiliser
Governors reject revenue Bill, demand Sh439.5 billion allocation
Firm linked to fake fertiliser calls for arrest of Linturi, NCPB boss
"Most of the teeth on the lower jaw were missing, cut off with a steel saw or just broken off," stated a joint report by KWS, the Watamu Marine Association and the Kenya Fisheries Services.
Whale oil
The report states that some of the injuries on the whale's body might have been caused by villagers out to tap its oils, which are said to fetch a substantial amount in the market.
"Members of the public were extracting oil that dripped from the whale's body probably due to the sun, while others extracted oil from the belly content, the nostrils and around the jaws," stated the report.
Villagers who spoke to the team of investigators who compiled the report indicated that the meat was boiled to extract more oil to be used for cooking and traditional medicine for skin, chest and ear infections. The rest of the meat was eaten.
The report recommended further investigations on the exact cause of death of the whale and that its skeleton be secured.
Researchers further recommended that villagers near the ocean be sensitised on the need to preserve whale carcasses for analysis and issues related to conservation and health risk consequences.
"This will enable the public take precaution when carting away meat from such creatures," the report said.
- Budget cuts loom for Parliament thanks to Sh9.6b Bunge Towers
- Firm linked to fake fertiliser calls for arrest of Linturi, NCPB boss
- Lenders raise interest on loans despite CBK holding key rate
- KPLC to pay Sh500 million for Nakumatt fire tragedy