WHALE ASHORE

A DEAD sperm whale has been washed ashore between Estellencs and Banyalbufar.

Emergency services informed the Palma Aquarium and Shark Med organisations which sent a team to take measurements, samples and photos.

“We do this to find out more about the species and their general health,” said a Palma Aquarium spokesman.

It confirmed it was a female sperm whale calf that suckle from their mothers for up to three years and can weigh up to 1,000 kilos.

The latest estimates suggest a colony of around 300 sperm whales live near the coast of the Balearics.

Palma Aquarium has reminded people that if they find a whale or dolphin, dead or alive, it is vital to call 112, so that ‘we can proceed to the site as soon as possible’.

In addition, they recommend not touching any of the animals since they can transmit diseases and infections.