The whale pictured last week with a severed upper jaw. Photo: Olivier Betremieux
The floating and decaying remains of a young whale that died last week after being hit by a vessel are now floating off the Moorea lagoon, now producing a foul stench.
The putrid remains have once again prompted a local warning to mariners and seafarers in the densely-populated area, for public health reasons but also for fear of an unusual concentration of predators that are very likely to be attracted and feed on the carcass.
Last week, the calf died of what is described as vessel-inflicted injuries, off the town of Faa'a (near the capital Papeete).
The impact, which was later documented by a veterinarian, is likely the result of an impact between the young mammal and a passenger ferry, in a high marine traffic area.
As a result of the impact, the young whale's jaw and blowhole were severed, causing irreversible damage and its eventual death by suffocation.
As a safety measure, local authorities and the French Navy initially towed the carcass away from populated areas.
But they said the towing operation was complicated by difficult weather conditions.
Floating remains of the whale that died on 8 October 2024. Photo: Facebook / Tairea Faaruia
At the weekend, parts of the dead whale's body were swept back, this time to neighbouring Moorea island's lagoon.
Warnings were renewed to local population to avoid all traffic in this area and another advice was issued not to use the beach for bathing or fishing, local media reported on Monday.
Moorea's municipality announced at the weekend that it did not intend to remove the dead calf's remains from the lagoon, but rather "hoped they would end up being eaten by the marine fauna".
Local animal welfare associations such as Mata Tohora have announced plans to bring the matter to court, with the support of Sea Shepherd France.
Damage inflicted to the mammal is documented in a graphic video published to Facebook by local association Mata Tahora and relayed by Sea Shepherd France.
Another association, Réseau des Gardiens de l'Océan (RGO, Ocean Guardians' network) was involved in the monitoring of the incident.
The calf had sustained "very serious injuries on its left side, [and] the upper jaw was no longer present, which was therefore preventing any short-term chance of survival", RGO member and veterinarian Olivier Betermieux said in an initial report following the death.
Local authorities have since issued several warnings, stressing that "this accident illustrates harm potentially inflicted to whales due to human activities" and calling for more steps to be taken to protect marine mammals.
It also says skippers need to be further sensitised on good behaviour practices, especially during whales' migration season.
Transport vessels have often been seen circulating at excessive speed, especially when they enter the Papeete and Moorea passes.
Local associations, Faafaite and Rohotu Noanoa have organised a ceremony to pay homage to the dead calf.
Further investigations are ongoing to shed light on the exact circumstances of the incident and to try and identify any individual involved.
One of the two dugongs found dead last week in Nouméa. Photo: Province Sud
2 dugongs found dead in New Caledonia
Meanwhile, in New Caledonia, another two marine mammals, two dugongs, have been found dead earlier this month on the shores of beaches in the capital Nouméa and thirty kilometres further North in Païta (South-west of the main island).
Initial examinations have concluded that at least one of the two dugongs died as a result of a direct hit by a passing vessel, New Caledonia's agency for biodiversity said.
It called for all mariners in the lagoon to "move at moderate speed in order to reduce the risk of collision with marine sea life, especially near islets and sea-bottom grass areas".
The agency reminded the public that dugongs are classified in the extinction risk category by IUCN (International union for conservation of nature) and that in New Caledonia, there are about four hundred specimens left.
"The main threats facing this species are of human origin: collision with boats, poaching, accidental catch in fishing nets", New Caledonia's agency for biodiversity said.
Local associations in New Caledonia, as well as the French research institute for development (IRD), said last week that they have recorded a total of 119 whales sighted in the French Pacific archipelago's waters since the start of this year's whale-watching season.