UNAIR NEWS – A sperm whale was found dead, stranded on Banyuwangi coast on Monday, August 1, 2022. UNAIR SIKIA Banyuwangi immediately sent a team to the location on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, to help evacuate and identify the cause of death.

The team leader, Drh Aditya Yudhana MSi said that his team will conduct an advanced identification procedure, including observations on the external organ and the blubber (thick layer of fat under the whale’s skin) to find out the marine mammal’s cause of death.

“Once it’s evacuated, we will take a closer look at its external anatomy to detect any wound or parasite and how severe it is,” said Drh Aditya.

The procedure will be followed by dissecting the abdominal cavity to observe the internal organs for further laboratory tests. Generally, the tests will be conducted on its intestines and stomach to detect the possibility of plastic waste contamination.

“We will also examine the chest cavity, such as the heart and lungs, to see the congenital disease that affects the performance of the heart and its oxygen supplies, respectively,” he stated.

The team faced some challenges during the evacuation process, particularly in selecting the organs eligible for laboratory tests to see the pathological transformation or abnormal cases of the sperm whale, including the parasite that indicates the cause of death.

Chief Executive of the National Agency for Disaster Management of Banyuwangi Ilzam Nuzuli explained that the whale will be dismembered according to the Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) and veterinarians’ recommendations. The body parts will be used for research samples and identified before they are buried on the coast where it is stranded.

“Initially, we wanted to move it to the south. Unfortunately, the ship could not evacuate, even using crane. Therefore, the identification will be conducted on the spot,” he added.

Author: Ananda Wildhan Wahyu Pratama

Editor: Feri Fenoria