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Pilot whale found dead on Mosquito Island!

-Cause of death or beaching remains unknown
February 22nd, 2015 | Tags: Pilot Whale beached Manchineel Bay Mosquito Island
A man trying to get a closer look at the pilot whale which was beached at Manchineel Bay on Mosquito Island yesterday February 21, 2015. Photo: Team of Reporters
An example of a short-finned pilot whale like the one that washed ashore yesterday on Mosquito Island. Photo: Internet source
An example of a short-finned pilot whale like the one that washed ashore yesterday on Mosquito Island. Photo: Internet source
MANCHINEEL BAY, Mosquito Island, VI - Many onlookers, fishermen and the public in general were surprised to see a short-finned pilot whale dead at Manchineel Bay on Mosquito Island yesterday February 21, 2015.

The cause of death of the young pilot whale remains unknown, however these mammals are among the largest of the oceanic dolphins, exceeded in size only by the killer whale.

When contacted today, Acting Deputy Chief Conservation and Fisheries Officer Mevin D. Hastings confirmed the death of the whale. He told our news room that his team “will be visiting the dead animal tomorrow and is going to be soliciting the help of a marine veterinarian”.

He said “tissue samples will be taking and sent to Puerto Rico where the expertise is on this type of species”. He declined to give any further information on the matter.

Pilot whales

According to research Pilot whales are cetaceans belonging to the genus Globicephala. The two extant species are the long-finned pilot whale (G. melas) and the short-finned pilot whale (G. macrorhynchus).

Pilot whales are primarily squid eaters, but will feed on fish, as well. They are also highly social, and studies suggest that both males and females remain in their mothers' pods, an unusual trait among mammals, also found in certain killer whale communities.

Pilot whales are mostly dark grey, brown, or black, but have some light areas such as a grey saddle patch behind the dorsal fin. Other light areas are an anchor-shaped patch under the chin, a faint blaze marking behind the eye, a large marking on the belly, and a genital patch.

The dorsal fin is set forward on the back and sweeps backwards. A pilot whale is more robust than most dolphins, and has a distinctive large, bulbous melon. Pilot whales' long, sickle-shaped flippers and tail stocks are flattened from side to side. Male long-finned pilot whales develop more circular melons than female although this does not seem to be the case for short-finned pilot whales off the Pacific coast of Japan.

17 Responses to “Pilot whale found dead on Mosquito Island!”

  • one eye (22/02/2015, 15:48) Like (3) Dislike (10) Reply
    Free willie
    • Notice (22/02/2015, 16:08) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
      One eye, You read the article saying it was found dead n yu there writing crap bout free willie.
  • Yes (22/02/2015, 16:08) Like (13) Dislike (20) Reply
    Poor animal heard that the NDP was still in power in the BVI so it beached itself LOL
  • Broken record!!! (22/02/2015, 18:39) Like (42) Dislike (8) Reply
    Am sick and tired of this illiterate person that is always on this site commenting NDP this and NDP that! You really sound desperate now and like a old broken record. smh. I can't vote and am not from here but come on now man, get a life!!!
    • .... (22/02/2015, 21:58) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      I think it was a joke though....
    • @ broken record (22/02/2015, 23:35) Like (2) Dislike (11) Reply
      We will say it until election ndp must go!
    • @ Broken record!!! (23/02/2015, 07:57) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
      Sorry we cannot help it the NDP government has destroyed many lives and we just can’t wait to see the back of them BAM
    • Tim (23/02/2015, 17:28) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Broken Record, Why are you letting this person rile you up? Just ignore the comments; this person is getting a kick in making you angry.
  • Yes (22/02/2015, 19:32) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    The NDP will rush and pass another law now! Wait til kedrick gets his phone call from bronson!
  • Really??? (23/02/2015, 11:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hate reading the comments and all you see is "Its NDP fault" SMH, I dont like the NDP government either but I wouldnt blame them for EVERYTHING happening in the BVI. Iyo just leave it out of the comments na!
  • NDP ReP (23/02/2015, 13:08) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yes it's our fault so well be sponsoring whales and in dangered species we will be giving out monies in excess of 400,000 for a wildlife reserve thank you Vote NDP next elections
  • shaw (23/02/2015, 13:49) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    unfortunate as it is, this may be an opportunity to educate people as to how nature and humans interact and affect each other. we are all interconnected. the question is can we change our behavior in general- don't throw styrofoam containers, plastic bags, oil cans, trash, plastic can rings-- into the water affecting other sea life. Many whales have been beached on the coast of Massachusetts and they are still trying to figure it out-- chemicals affecting radar etc. But chances are, it still comes back to humans some how. respect the ocean and coastline.
  • fish (23/02/2015, 16:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hope we do not have s mass beaching!


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