Dead Whale to be Left on Beach

First published on Studenty.me on 7 Jan 2012.

THE CORPSE of a large sperm whale is likely to be left on the beach of Omrey Island for another week, according to Galway County Council.

Sperm whales are among the largest mammals in the world, and the 43 foot long sperm whale in question is thought to have died at sea.

The whale, which has been on the beach at Omey Island near Claddaghduff in Connemara since last week has caused no concern to the environmental officials, who have not yet come to a decision on the disposal of the body.

Senior Executive Engineer Tony McInerney confirmed that no plans had been finalised for the removal of the body.

"To be honest, it's not causing an obstruction or anything so it's not at the top of our priority list," said Mr. McInerney, speaking to the Galway Independent this week. "There are a few options open to us for disposing of the remains, so we are looking at those and hope to make a decision later in the week."

The most likely options for the removal of the body of this 43 foot long sperm whale are a burial close to where he was beached so that it can decompose naturally. The other option is that he will be removed in three sections to High Island, further west.

The burial would mean heavy machinery will need to be used on Omey Island, and this could cost approximately €3,000 to €4,000. However, the removal of the corpse to High Island would cost significantly less, coming in at under €2,000. Alternatively, the bones of the sperm whale can be worth about €500 and harvesting the bones could mean lowering the cost of removing the body to High Island.

Naturally, a mammal as huge as this has attracted thousands of onlookers to Omey since it was beached last week, and hundreds more are expected before the body is removed.

The whale has also received some unwelcome visitors since it was beached last week. It has emerged that the whale's teeth have been removed at night while the beach was secluded.

7 Jan 2012

by Jessica Thompson