Rare whale species washes up dead in Playa Matina (Costa Rica)

Screenshot of the rare beaked whale, which was approximately 5 meters in length. (Courtesy of Noticias Repretel)

February 12nd, 2014 (LINDSAY FENDT). A beaked whale was found dead on the shores of Playa Matina on Tuesday, Noticias Repretel reported. The sighting is only the fourth beaked whale body ever found in Costa Rica, and the first on the Caribbean side.

According to Noticias Repretel’s report, the body showed no signs of human inflicted damage, and residents believe the whale got disoriented and drowned in deep water.

Not much is known about beaked whales due to their tendency to stay deep under the water. Though they must surface to breath every hour or so, beaked whales are known to dive to average depths of 300 meters (1,000 feet).

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