A whale with a rare spinal deformity was spotted off the coast of Spain last Saturday. At first, experts thought that the curvature on the animal’s back was caused by a net catch. However, as they approached, they noticed that the whale had severe scoliosis.
Agents from the Oceanographic Foundation and the Valencia Civil Guard were mobilized to help the whale, weighing around 40 tons, that was swimming near Cullera Beach.
A call from a ship’s captain to the Civil Guard reporting the sighting of a fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) apparently entangled in a fishing net alerted the Oceanographic Foundation rescue team, which was closing in on the animal.
The foundation’s biologists and veterinarians were able to examine the marine mammal up close and found that it was not caught in a net but had a severe spinal curvature; a scoliosis of unknown origin that altered her natural anatomy.
Because of the whale’s size and deformity, and because it is in the open ocean, it was not possible to place a remotecontrolled tracker on it to obtain more detailed data on its condition, biology and trajectory.
After a few hours of observation, the approximately 17 meter long whale broke out to sea and moved away from the coast. However, experts believe it is possible that she will appear in the next few days due to her general condition and swimming difficulties.