A 17-foot-long sperm whale was found dead in Lajas on Tuesday after being struck by a large vessel, according to the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA). The whale, which typically inhabits deep waters, is believed to have surfaced to rest when the collision occurred. Grisel Rodríguez, coordinator of mammal programs at DRNA, said the whale suffered injuries that compromised several vital organs, including its kidneys and a lung, due to the impact on its peduncle area.
Authorities will perform a necropsy to gather information and document the cause of the whale’s death. The incident occurred in La Parguera, Puerto Rico.