Unfortunately, the treatment of the animal in the shelter was of no avail, says animal caretaker Roelofs. “The porpoise died at the end of the afternoon.” It was a male, 1.5 meters tall and weighing about 60 kilos. Roelofs cannot yet say what the animal ultimately died from.
Investigation in Utrecht into cause of death
According to the foundation, the deceased porpoise will be transferred to Utrecht University tomorrow. It must be determined what caused the animal’s death. According to Roelofs, it may take some time before the cause of death is known.
According to the zookeeper, the porpoise was most likely ill. “When they wash up, they are almost always sick,” Roelofs explains. Still, she is surprised that the animal did not make it. “This one actually had quite a bit of spice.”
According to Roelofs, it is possible that the porpoise washed ashore have to do with the wind. “It is now cold and there was some wind. That could cause the number of strandings to increase. Especially with a strong westerly wind, which is really on our coast”