Published on Tuesday, October 8, 2024

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The National System of Conservation Areas (Sinac) received a report on Monday, by a group of bypassers who found a young dead Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Pilas Beach in Guanacaste Province.

Experts are investigating the death of the 6-meter-long juvenile mammal. But, probably the cetacean died in the Pacific Ocean, and the tide may have pulled its remains to the beach.

Sinac and Municipality of Nandayure Canton, in Guanacaste, representatives are coordinating an appropriate way to dispose of the whale's remains.

In addition, animal specialists are examining samples from the cetacean's deceased corpse to determine all likely causes of death.

Some vultures and other animals were eating the body of the dead sea species, Sinac experts noted.

Humpback whales have a characteristic body form, with large pectoral fins and tubercles on their heads.

Adult whales may reach 46 to 56 feet in length and weigh up to 40 metric tons.

The cetaceans are recognized for breaching and other characteristic surface activities.

They are in oceans and seas worldwide and usually migrate up to 9,900 miles each year. They feed in arctic waters before migrating to tropical or subtropical seas, such as Costa Rica, to breed and give birth.

Humpback whales, False killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens), Orca killer whales (Orcinus orca) and Bryde's whales (Balaenoptera edeni) have been documented in Costa Rica, according to Sinac.

Sinac is the state-owned agency in charge of managing all national parks and protected areas in the country.


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