“The animal was in an evident state of weakness and died a few hours after the initial alert,” stated the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) in a statement.
In an initial analysis conducted at the scene, the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), although alive when it washed ashore, was found to be in a “very weak physical condition, appearing extremely thin,” according to the report.
The cause of death will be determined after the assessment by the team of biologists from the Algarve Stranding Network (RAAlg), who are on-site collecting data and samples for analysis, it added.
The RAAlg, in cooperation with the ICNF, the Olhão Municipality, and the Maritime Authority of the Port of Olhão, is coordinating the operation to remove the animal from Armona Island.
The stranding network is a monitoring and response system for strandings of cetaceans and other marine animals covering the entire Portuguese mainland coast, coordinated by the ICNF with funding from the Environmental Fund.
The network is locally coordinated by the Center for Marine Sciences (CCMAR) of the University of Algarve.
