This is the second time in two months that this phenomenon has occurred: a few weeks after the death in the Seine of a very sick killer whale, despite rescue attempts, a cetacean is swimming again in the waters of the Normandy river.
He was seen several times this Thursday by sailors and pilots in Seine-Maritime, reveals the Paris-Normandie newspaper.
It would be more precisely between the Normandy bridge and the Tancarville bridge.
VIDEO.
The orca in difficulty in the Seine found dead
According to the prefecture of Seine-Maritime, it could be an "adult pointed-snout whale", of an "imposing" size, about ten meters.
The animal, which “moves slowly but with powerful movements”, seems for the moment in “good physical condition”, she specifies in a press release.
The prefecture brought together several experts: the association of the Cotentin cetacean study group and marine mammals of the Channel Sea (GECC), the Sea Shepherd France organization and the Pelagis observatory.
According to them, "it is not uncommon" to observe isolated rorqual specimens in coastal areas: this type of cetacean can feed there, even in an estuary.
We receive many reports on the presence of a cetacean in the estuary of Le Havre which could be a whale in view of the video images that we have received.
pic.twitter.com/KhlUIlNh6K
— Sea Shepherd France (@SeaShepherdFran) June 30, 2022
“At this stage, the cetacean has not passed into fresh water and its state of health seems correct, specifies the Sea Shepherd association on its Twitter account.
Increased monitoring is required to ensure that it goes back to sea on its own and to anticipate an intervention if it were to sink inland.
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The animal will be followed closely
“The animal has already been seen in recent days on the northern coast of the Seine-Maritime department, off the town of Saint-Jouin-Bruneval”, specifies the local newspaper, citing the prefecture.
The GECC has set up a system for observing and monitoring the animal.
The Sea Shepherd organization could also participate in its surveillance, by providing remote observation, by drone.
In addition, ships are prohibited from approaching the mammal within 100 m.
To facilitate its observation, the prefecture invites any witnesses to inform them of the presence of the cetacean by email or telephone on obs@gecc-normandie.org or on 07.66.17.50.48.
