The Ministry of the Environment ( MiAmbiente ), reported this Saturday that the whale that was freed from its stranding on El Retén beach in the province of Herrera, returned to the site and died, despite new efforts to return it to the sea.

According to the entity, due to the state of the tide and the "compromised condition of the cetacean's organism, it was impossible to return it to the sea alive."

It is Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera brydei), it is of the type of the fin family, smaller compared to others.

The specimen has a short, broad head with three longitudinal ridges running from snout to breathing hole and relatively large eyes.

In a first statement, MiAmbiente indicated that once the death of the animal was declared, they proceeded to "collect as much information as possible for the stranding records."

José Julio Casas, director of Costas y Mares de MiAmbiente said that the fishermen in the area noticed that the juvenile whale had returned, almost a day after it was released from the stranding.

Personnel from the institution and the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) came to the scene to try to recover it; "A circle was made around him, he was covered and they doused him with water, but he died," detailed a statement.

Casas added that all the data, information such as measurements, skin tissue samples, muscles were taken for genetic analysis and records for future use. “The animal was left where it stranded; there, nature will follow its course.”

They recommend that in any case of marine animals that approach the beaches and situations of stranding of cetaceans (dolphins, whales) and other species, the inhabitants of neighboring communities should call the authorities, especially MiAmbiente in the province to attend the cases.

They ask people that when approaching animals that confront these problems, people take all safety measures such as masks, avoid risks and not come into direct contact to prevent any type of contagion or transfer of bacteria.