Utrecht University: Stranded orca examined by Utrecht University

The orca that died on Cadzand beach in Zeeland on Saturday has been transferred to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine for examination. The animal arrived Sunday morning, after which the investigation could start. It is a female of 5.17 metres and about 2,000 kilograms.

‘The big question, of course, is why the orca stranded. That is what we are trying to find out with research,’ says Lonneke IJsseldijk, researcher at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. ‘We are looking to see if there are any signs of disease. We also look at whether and what the animal has eaten. We don’t know yet when we will have results from the research, it depends on what we will find.’

In the coming weeks, Utrecht University and Wageningen Marine Research will conduct research into the cause of death, health condition, diet and origin of the orca. The skeleton will be preserved by Naturalis Biodiversity Center.