Earlier this month, a rarely seen Sowerby’s beaked whale stranded on a Norfolk beach, and died despite the efforts of wildlife rescuers.
“Initially reported as a dolphin, BDMLR tasked Medics to respond with rescue equipment,” said the British Divers Marine Life Rescue in a statement online. “Tragically, despite the swift response from Medics and Coastguard officers, the whale passed away shortly after they arrived.”
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Very little is actually known about the Sowerby’s beaked whale. It is resident in the North Atlantic and North Sea. Although they do occasionally get stranded on beaches, they are rarely seen at sea. They can dive for extended amounts of time, feeding on squid and fish such as Atlantic cod.
Top image: Sowerby’s beaked whale. Credit: Matt Curtis, BDMLR
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