The São Miguel Natural Park, in partnership with Ponta Delgada City Hall, has removed the corpse of a female sperm whale that washed ashore today on Pópulo Beach, São Miguel Island; it was transported to an appropriate place.
 
The specimen, measuring 10 metres long and weighing over seven tonnes, was in an advanced state of decomposition and had no external injuries that might indicate the cause of death.
 
In this context, the University of the Azores will perform an autopsy next Thursday to ascertain if the cause of death of the sperm whale was caused by plastic ingestion.
 
The systematic collection of scientific data at the moment when cetaceans wash ashore is an important contribution to the knowledge of the natural phenomena of marine environments on a regional and global scale.
 
The Region has a Network for Washed up Cetaceans of the Azores (RACA) to takes action in these situations. It is coordinated by the Regional Directorate for Sea Affairs and operated by Island Natural Parks, with the support of several local partners and the scientific support of the University of the Azores.
 
Implemented in 1999, the Network for Washed up Cetaceans of the Azores (RACA) aims to minimise the possible threat of washed ashore mammals to human health and safety, minimise the pain and suffering of living washed ashore animals and collect the maximum amount of scientific and educational information on living and dead washed ashore animals.