Photo courtesy Wil Maheia
Whale Sightings and Strandings 2016-2020
May 12, 2020
On May 12, 2020 a 50+ft whale was found stranded in a mangrove channel by BSI employees. It had been dead for at least a week and species identification has been a challenge. The location where the whale was found, at the end of a dead-end mangrove channel where the water depth is less than 10 feet is a mystery. Due to the State of Emergency that Belize has been under since April 1, 2020, which results in reduced boat traffic, is likely the reason the whale was not reported sooner. ECOMAR is collaborating with the Belize Fisheries Department to document the stranding and submit samples to NOAA's Marine Mammal Genetics Program in La Jolla, California.
OCT 25, 2019
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A group of at least three sperm whales was reported by Amigos del Mar. The observation was made on the return from their Lighthouse Dive trip. Others from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye reported seeing them three weeks previously.
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Feb 19, 2018 - Drowned Cayes |
A pod of possible false killers whales were observed west of the Drowned Cayes by a charter sailboat. There were an estimated number of 30 members including mostly adults and some calves. These are a deep water species and it's possible they became disoriented and made there way through the deep water channel at Goff's Caye.
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Aug 29, 2017 - Silk Cayes |
Jason Westby observed and filmed a dead juvenile sperm whale about 30 ft in length near the Silk Cayes. There are reports by others that the sperm whale was observed alive a few days earlier in the same area..
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Aug 18, 2017 - Orange Point, Punta Gorda
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TIDE responds to stranded Whale near PG
On Aug 18, 2017 coastal residents informed TIDE that a whale was stranded just south of Punta Gorda. TIDE assembled a team to visit the site and determine what could be done for the whale. They pulled the animal off the bajo, but she swam right back. Not knowing how to help this large marine mammal in distress, they assisted how they could, but at 5pm it died. Tissues samples were collected to assist in DNA studies. |
LOVE FM by Paul Mahung Whale Dies Despite Tide’s Efforts To Save It
News reports state that an observer reported seeing the whale swim in circles towards the deep but kept returning the shallow waters. One of the fins appeared injured and blood was expelled through the blow-hole. The image above shows a white right jaw indicating this is a fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus. The whale was reported to be 30 ft in length and had a 6ft tail width.
In January 2017 a 30 ft fin whale was observed in the port of Belize City where sugar is loaded onto a cargo ship. It is possible this was the same fin whale as these are rare sightings inside the reef. The first confirmed fin whale stranded in Belize in 1986 off Buttonwood Caye.
In January 2017 a 30 ft fin whale was observed in the port of Belize City where sugar is loaded onto a cargo ship. It is possible this was the same fin whale as these are rare sightings inside the reef. The first confirmed fin whale stranded in Belize in 1986 off Buttonwood Caye.
Jan 21, 2017 - Stake Bank Caye, Belize City
Juvenile Fin Whale Observed off Sugar Ship West of Drowned Cayes Range
On Jan 21, 2017 a juvenile whale was observed and videoed by Damian Gough while he was working on the MV Apollonia, a bulk cargo vessel that transports sugar for BSI. The whale was reported to have been 30 ft in length and it may have gotten separated from its mother. The video shows a white right lower jaw and the dorsal fin appears farther back on its body, which suggests this whale is a fin whale. The whale was not sighted again, but 7 months later a 30 ft juvenile fin whale stranded and died near Orange Point, Toledo District on Aug 18, 2017. See details above. |
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Killer Whales - Dec 29, 2016
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Jason Westby and Roland Alford, along with their very lucky guests, encountered a group of three killer whales, or orcas, while fishing outside the Belize Barrier Reef. The orcas were letting the boats know they were not happy with them getting too close and were slapping their tails. It's possible there was a calf in the group. The whales move northward.
Three killer whales spotted in southern Belize, by Adele Ramos, Amandala, Jan 7, 2017 |
Feb 24-April 25, 2016
Humpback whale observed for 2 months
in southern Belize found dead near Barranco
Coastal resident living in Riversdale to Punta Gorda were able to witness a magnificent humpback whale, a rare sighting in Belize. Sadly, the whale did not survive, and the cause of death is unknown. Follow this link for more details on the sightings.