Young whale dies after horrific injuries off Tahiti: ship collision suspected”

Terrible accident in the waters of Tahiti, where a whale died after hours of agony. All eyes are on the boats that pass at high speed in these territories, home to whales and other emblematic species

A young whale, seriously injured in the head and in agony since hours in Tahiti’s waters off Faa’a, has just died. Nothing big could be done to save its life.

It was at this moment that several associations for the protection of the oceans sounded the alarm, a warning sent to local authorities. DIREN (Direction de l’Environnement Polynésie Française), in collaboration with the RGO (Ocean Guardians Network), very quickly called back to the scene, closely observing the cetacean and considering the possibilities of intervention.

The whale was struggling to swim in a state of distress close to the coral reef between Papeete and Faaa, against sharks. The veterinarians found serious injuries, including a broken jaw and two-thirds of its back jaw torn off.

Its condition was critical and, in the afternoon of October 8, it finally succumbed to its injuries. The body was brought out to sea while a ritual rite was performed on land in memory of the cetacean.

Authorities, including the Gendarmerie, have launched an investigation into the details of this sad event and who conducted it. Although no maritime incident was reported that day, there is little doubt as to what happened: the whale was struck by a large vessel.

Animal rights activists have already raised suspicion, citing the potential of a vessel plying the route between Tahiti and Moorea as being at fault because of its high-speed nature. Besides being a commercial route, this passage is a migratory corridor for iconic species like whales. For a fact, Tahiti is currently in the middle of its whale breeding season.

In response, French authorities have issued a warning to vessels in the area, cautioning against the dangers it creates. However, conservation groups are demanding much stronger measures.

This is an example of how human beings destroy whales. It serves as another indication that protection for these iconic animals should be strengthened and more awareness on acceptable behavior by operators of boats during the whale migration season is created,” said volunteers of Réseau des Gardiens de l’Océan.

How many more whales are supposed to die within their habitat due to human-induced threats?

Source: Réseau des Gardiens de l’Océan/Facebook