Overview
- The 12–13 meter sperm whale, which stranded Friday morning on Préfailles’ Éric-Tabarly beach, drew a joint rescue that tried straps and towing gear to refloat it.
- Crews halted the operation after rocks, heavy surf and the animal’s weight made access unsafe and likely to worsen its distress.
- The whale died naturally mid-afternoon, and euthanasia was not used because conditions for a humane, safe procedure were not met.
- Pelagis and the biodiversity office said the animal looked emaciated with scrapes from the reef, and they scheduled a necropsy early next week to determine why it stranded.
- Authorities secured the site and prepared on-site removal of the carcass, as the NGO Robin des Bois urged close monitoring to prevent looting of body parts.