Spanish
Azua, Dominican Republic. – Fishermen from the province of Azua reportedly consumed the meat of two pygmy whales that appeared dead on Caney Beach, according to a complaint made this Friday, a situation that has generated concern due to the possible health risks and because it is a cetacean uncommon on Dominican coasts.
According to information provided by a source, the animals arrived lifeless on the shore of the beach two days ago and were subsequently dismembered by people in the area.
Images obtained show one of the whales with multiple cuts in different parts of the body, presumably made to extract its meat.
The kogia species, known to inhabit mainly deep waters, is rarely observed near the coasts, so the finding of these specimens has caught the attention of residents and experts.
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According to the complaint, they were two whales of this species and there are no recent precedents of a similar situation in that area of the province of Azua.
As of yet, the competent authorities have not issued an official report on the causes of the cetaceans' deaths nor on the circumstances related to the alleged consumption of their meat.
Specialists often warn that consuming dead marine animals can pose health risks due to potential diseases, contamination, or advanced decomposition processes.
