A sorrowful discovery has been made this week near Morne Kite Lagoon, close to the Riu Hotel and the islet of Fourneau. The lifeless body of a Cuvier’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris), commonly known as Blainville’s beaked whale, has been found washed ashore in the lagoon. This cetacean, seldom seen in the coastal waters of Mauritius, is typically a deep-diving creature of the ocean’s depths.

The formal identification of the species has been confirmed by marine biologists and environmental specialists.

Initial findings reveal that the animal bore severe injuries: a portion of its facial region was torn away, and large sections of its abdominal cavity were exposed.

Experts suggested the possibility of a violent attack, potentially inflicted by an orca.

This theory is bolstered by the recent confirmed sighting of an orca off the northern coast of Mauritius on 10 April.

As known predators of marine mammals, the presence of orcas could indicate alarming shifts in the region’s marine food chain.

Bacterial Proliferation

The body of the animal is now in an advanced state of decomposition. Organic fluids and blood are seeping into the lagoon, posing serious health risks.

The #Savetheblu organisation urges the public to strictly avoid the area. Indeed, the decomposition of large cetaceans can lead to the proliferation of bacteria, pathogens, and parasites that may pose a danger to human health.

The swelling of the carcass due to the accumulation of internal gases is also presenting a risk of spontaneous explosion.

In light of this situation, authorities—including the Ministry of Fisheries, the National Coast Guard, conservation NGOs, and specialised scientists—are collaborating to determine the safest and most respectful method for the removal of the carcass, with the aim of returning it to the ocean in an ecologically sound manner.

This tragic event highlights the profound transformations occurring within our marine environment.

The presence of this rare species near our shores, coupled with the potential involvement of a predator such as the orca, underscores the urgent need to protect our oceans and remain vigilant in the face of the signals that nature sends us.

Savetheblu calls for collective responsibility: let us stay informed, cautious, and respectful in the face of these increasingly frequent phenomena, which bear witness to the ecological upheavals on a global scale.

Source: l’Express