‘False killer whale’ washes out at Mole

A ‘FALSE killer whale’ (Pseudorca crassidens), had washed up on the Mole Beach in Swakopmund Saturday

When The Namibian arrived at the scene member of the Namibian Dolphin Project were also busy cutting up the dolphin-like creature.The creature, believed to be an adult male, seemingly washed out on the beach during the early morning hours where it then died – it’s flesh was still relatively warm.It was about three metres long and its estimated weight was about half a ton. According to Dr Simon Elwen of the project, it was not certain why the animal had died since no specific unnatural causes could be identified during the onsite autopsy.The animals can apparently live up to 60 years, and it was guessed that it might have died from natural causes.The stomach was inspected, where parts of squid (the animals favourite diet) were found. The fins were removed, and showed normal signs of age and interaction with similar animals. The brain and other anatomical specimens were removed and categorically packaged for further inspection. The skull was cleaned, and will be delivered to the National Museum, while the flesh of the animal was discarded.’We can’t give the meat as food to people. It may not be fit for human consumption as we are not totally sure what the animal died from and also because it has been lying here for a couple of hours now,’ said Elwen.The ‘false killer whale’ shares characteristics, such as appearance, with the more widely known Orca (killer whale). Like the orca, the false killer whale also apparently attacks and kills other cetaceans (dolphin-like creatures). However, the two species are apparently not closely related.No much is known about the species as there have not been extensive studies of it in the wild. Much of the data about it has been derived by examining stranded animals.