A carcass of a young northern bottlenose whale (Hyperoodon ampullatus) recently washed ashore at Skeifárbás, just below Skeifárfoss in the area of Ytri-Tunga.
A staff member from the Húsavík Whale Museum visited the site and confirmed that the animal had been dead for some time, based on the condition of the carcass.
Northern bottlenose whales are medium-sized toothed whales that can reach nearly 10 meters in length. This individual measured only about 3,3 meters, indicating it was likely a calf. Notably, bottlenose whales are relatively rare around Iceland, although they are observed almost annually. Typically, however, they do not stay long.
This summer has been an exception. A group of bottlenose whales has been regularly seen in Skjálfandi Bay, and it appeared that an injured calf was among them. The calf was last seen on September 1st, appearing weak and showing signs of injury, possibly from a boat collision.
It is considered likely that the carcass now found ashore is that of this calf. The Marine and Freshwater Research Institute has been notified of the stranding, and staff from the Húsavík Whale Museum and the University of Iceland’s Research Center will visit the site in the coming days to take samples and measure the whale.
