A dead sperm whale washed ashore on Kharayeb beach, South Lebanon. (Courtesy of Muntasser Abdallah/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — The citizens from the town of Kharayeb, South Lebanon, discovered a dead whale washed ashore Tuesday, marine biologist and Director of the Tyre Coast Nature Reserve Ali Badreddine told L’Orient Today.
The specimen, identified as a sperm whale, measured 14 meters in length and weighed over ten tons. Badreddine, who was present at the beach area, explained that the whale's body had been decomposing in the sea for some time, indicating that it had likely been dead for over a week.
A bulldozer removing a dead sperm whale in Kharayeb, South Lebanon. (Courtesy of Muntasser Abdallah/L'Orient Today)
“This incident, although not frequent, is not uncommon and has happened in the past, not only in Lebanon but in several Mediterranean countries. Dead dolphins and whales are sometimes being washed along the Lebanese coast,” Badreddine continued.
“There are several causes for the death of whales. Some die as a result of accidents with boats, certain parasites are also fatal to whales, and sometimes they get stuck and choke on fishing nets,” he concluded.
According to Badreddine, the National Council for Scientific Research will follow up on the removal of the whale from the beach.