A Cuvier's beaked whale—also referred to as a ziphius—found itself stranded on Thursday at Baracoa Beach in the province of Artemisa. Local residents quickly stepped in to assist, striving to guide the majestic creature back to the deep waters where it typically resides. This remarkable event unfolded early in the morning, catching the attention of locals as the stunning animal appeared close to shore, struggling to stay afloat due to the shallow waters, as seen in videos shared on social media.
What Led the Whale to Shallow Waters?
The appearance of the whale along the northern coast of Cuba might be attributed to a falling tide. Alternatively, it could have been swept in by ocean currents or simply lost its way, ending up in the shallows by accident. These possible explanations are discussed in an article on stranded whales published by National Geographic.
By around eight in the morning, word of the whale's arrival spread, and dozens of Baracoa Beach residents flocked to the area to witness the extraordinary sight firsthand and capture the moment through photos and videos.
Community Efforts to Save the Whale
In one video, four men can be seen working together to help the whale return to deeper waters. However, whether they succeeded in their mission remains unknown.
The whale spotted this Thursday is a Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris), a toothed cetacean species within the family Ziphidae. These whales are distinguished by their pronounced snouts, and their name is derived from the Greek word "xiphos," meaning sword, making "ziphius" literally translate to "sword-nosed whale," according to an entry on Wikipedia.
The Elusive Nature of Cuvier's Beaked Whales
Ziphius whales are among the least understood groups of mammals due to their deep-water habitats and apparently low numbers. The scientific literature describes Cuvier's beaked whale as having a shorter snout compared to other species within its family. These whales are mid-sized, measuring up to 6.4 meters and weighing around 3,000 kg.
They bear some similarities to dolphins, such as an elongated body and head shape. The "melon" of their skull is white or cream-colored, along with a dorsal band of the same shade. The rest of their body color ranges from dark gray to reddish-brown, while the dorsal fin varies in form and size within the species.
Cuvier's beaked whales are known for their incredible diving capabilities, holding records for diving to depths of nearly 3,000 meters and staying submerged for an astonishing 137 minutes, according to a study by American researchers.