On the 24th of February 2021, a humpback whale (Megaptera novaengliae) was reported to ORCA Ireland by Kieran Collins of Baltimore Wildlife Tours, dead floating west of Sherkin Island, Co. Cork. On the 25th of February 2021, the humpback whale washed ashore near Long Island, Schull, West Cork. Two ORCA Ireland Marine Mammal Stranding Responders arrived on site to investigate the event. We were greeted by the two men, who originally discovered the stranded humpback ashore; (Robbie Shelly and his brother), and later by more locals.  ORCA scientists confirmed it was a juvenile male humpback whale and conducted a gross examination of the carcass.

Humpback whale strandings are an infrequent occurrence in Ireland but this event not only highlights the importance of citizen science but also that humpback whales are arriving to our nearshore waters earlier and earlier each year! Images by Éinne Ó Cathasaigh & Emer Keaveney/ ORCA Ireland.

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