Young sperm whale washes up on South Devon beach
Experts confirm the stranded whale was examined by multiple organisations
A young sperm whale calf has been confirmed as the animal found washed ashore at Challabrough Beach in South Devon.
The initial reports came from local observers on 21st February, who speculated that it might be a dolphin.
However, marine mammal experts Rob Deaville from UK Cetaceans Investigation Programme (CSIP) and James Barnett from Cornwall Marine Pathology Team identified the animal as a sperm whale.
The calf measured just under 3.5 meters in length, with teeth still developing, indicating it was at birth size when it died.
On 24th February, Rob Deaville from CSIP and Matt Perkins from the Zoological Society of London conducted an in-depth examination in-situ, aiming to gather more details about the animal.
It is believed that the whale was the same individual previously stranded in Seaton, South East Cornwall, three weeks earlier.
This event marks the first recorded instance of a stranded sperm whale in the county by the Devon Marine Strandings Network.
Coral Smith from Devon Wildlife Trust, who coordinates the Devon Marine Strandings Network, commented on the unusual nature of strandings this year:
"It has been an incredibly busy start to the year for both Devon and Cornwall Marine Strandings Networks, and our busiest February ever in Devon. We've witnessed puffin casualties, as well as a significant number of other cetacean and grey seal strandings. The continuous storms are likely the reason so much is washing on to our shores."