70t Giant Whale Carcass Found in Southern Italy
Whale Exhibits Stereotypic Behavior Around Carcass, Presumed Calf
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] A massive whale carcass washed ashore near the coast of Naples in southern Italy, prompting environmental and animal experts to launch an investigation.
According to local media reports on the 21st (local time), including ANSA news agency, the coast guard recovered the whale carcass found off the coast of the small town of Sorrento.
The whale was first discovered by divers on the 17th. Due to its size and weight, it was moved ashore after a prolonged towing operation in the early hours of the 20th.
Reports indicate that the whale recovered off the coast of the small town of Sorrento, near Naples, is a giant whale weighing at least 70 tons and measuring 20 meters in length.
Coast guard divers said, "It is one of the largest whales ever found in the Mediterranean."
At the time the carcass was discovered, a smaller whale exhibited unstable behavior, repeatedly hitting its head against the harbor wall before disappearing. Experts believe this whale was the calf of the deceased whale.
Stereotypic behavior refers to repetitive and continuous actions without purpose, often caused by extreme stress.
In 2013, Gus, a polar bear kept at the Central Park Zoo in New York, exhibited stereotypic behavior by swimming continuously in a figure-eight pattern for more than 12 hours a day. New York City hired animal behavior experts and even prescribed antidepressants, but Gus was eventually euthanized.
Meanwhile, experts plan to perform an autopsy on the whale carcass to determine the exact cause of death.
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