Date: Oct 9, 2001 Peponocephala electra, Adult, Female, 238cm, 109kg
Location: County
Situation: A melon-headed whale stranded on the beach in Chih Pen, Taitung County and it was soon transported to our aquarium. Its breath stank, and it was badly dehydrated. It could not keep its balance in water. Our efforts to rescue proved to be futile, and it survived only five days. An autopsy revealed a plastic bag of 1.4kg in its stomach, which had several ulcers. Parasites were found in its orbits, so we learned why it had trouble balancing itself in water. We also found several round worms in its naval cavity, while we took samples from the whale. We exhibited its skeleton samples in the hall of our aquarium.
Cause of Death: Parasitic infection and diffuse pneumonia
Rescue teams:
Taitung County Government
Hi-Scene World Enterprise Co., Ltd.
Cetacean rescue team from the Planning Bureau of National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium