A 17m Long-Bearded Whale Washed Ashore Dead on a 'Tar Pollution' Beach... Black Liquid Found in Its Lungs

Israel "Suspects Recent Marine Oil Spill Incident"
Recent Discovery of Sea Turtle and Other Animal Carcasses

A 17-meter-long fin whale washed ashore and found dead on an Israeli beach.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] On the 19th, a black liquid was found in the lungs of a long-beaked whale that had washed ashore dead on the Mediterranean coast of Israel.

On the 22nd (local time), local media reported that a black liquid was detected in the lungs after an autopsy was performed on the long-beaked whale measuring 17 meters in length and weighing about 25 tons.

The chief veterinarian, Roni King, of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA), which conducted the autopsy, said, "It is unclear whether this liquid is related to the whale's death and the recent oil spill incident nearby."

However, he added, "There is suspicion that (the black liquid in the lungs is the cause of death)" and "further investigation will be conducted."

A large-scale oil spill was recently detected in the sea near the beach where the whale was found.

As a result, a 160 km stretch of Israel's Mediterranean coast between the Palestinian Gaza Strip and Lebanon has been contaminated.

Amidst the sea floating with black tar, carcasses of animals such as sea turtles have been continuously discovered.

If whales or dolphins inhale oil, it can adversely affect not only their lungs but also their immune and reproductive functions.

INPA described this oil spill as "the worst oil pollution incident to have occurred in Israel."

The Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection stated that the initial oil spill was first observed at sea 50 km away from the beach a week ago, and an investigation is underway targeting ten vessels that were in the area at the time.