Date: Feb 15, 1999 Kogia breviceps, adult whale, Male, 250cm, 350kg, 7 days alive
Location: beach of Chi Ching, Kaoshiung County
Situation: The stranding occurred at 3 to 4 o’clock in the afternoon on February 15, 1999. It was during the Chinese New Year, and blood work indicated that it was in a poor health. Our staff could not transport it right away. Instead we drove it to a marine lab in Kaohsiung Chi Ching at 6 pm and put it there temporarily. Then we sent up a vet to attend the whale. It was badly dehydrated, and its breath stank. Its vomit contained round worms, Nematoda. The whale was irritable and not eating. Despite the efforts we made that lasted for seven days, it died. An autopsy revealed that its stomach was filled with marine debris such as retort pouches, plastic bags, and plastic strings, etc.
Cause of Death: We speculated that the whale died of heart and lung failure.
Rescue teams:
Staff of Chi Ching Marine Lab
Taiwan Cetacean Society
Cetacean rescue team from the Planning Bureau of National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium