A young sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), approximately four meters long and weighing around one ton, washed ashore dead along the northern coast of Samos.

Throughout most of the year, this area of the Aegean Sea is one of the most important migratory routes for these giants of our seas. Unfortunately, it is not the first time a young sperm whale has been found dead in the area, which raises concerns, given that the normal lifespan of the species reaches up to 70 years.

A veterinarian with expertise in cetacean necropsies, working together with marine biologists and a cetacean specialist, performed the necropsy . Samples were collected and will be analyzed in specialized laboratories to determine the precise causes of death. Human-related factors have been ruled out as the cause.

Once again, we warmly thank the Ελληνική Ομάδα Διάσωσης Παράρτημα Σάμου – Hellenic Rescue Team of Samos for their prompt and invaluable cooperation, which once more highlights their crucial and irreplaceable role on the island. We also thank the Δήμος Ανατολικής Σάμου – Municipality of Eastern Samos for its contribution.

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Interesting information about young sperm whales:

Young sperm whales depend on their mothers for a much longer period compared to most other mammal species. They nurse for about two years, though in some cases, nursing can continue until three or even four years of age.

Even after weaning, they remain closely connected to their mother and the social group, from which they receive protection, learning, and care. Young males usually stay with their mother and the family group until around 10-12 years old, at which point they gradually separate to join groups of young males. Females, on the other hand, remain within the family group for their entire lives.