Two cachalots (sperm whales) dead in Denmark

2026, January 31. Denmark, Ålbæk Bugt, south of Skagen. A 13.7-meter-long cachalot (Sperm whale) stranded and died. Necropsy: The whale appeared to be in relatively good physical condition (not emaciated), suggesting it had been feeding until recently and was not suffering from long-term starvation caused by a "ball" of plastic or netting. I have posted before about cetaceans becoming scavengers in shallow rather than deeper water when they are no longer able to feed. Three fireballs of note: One occurred on the 4th and the other on the 20th. Both produced sonic booms. The first was seen in Friesland and the second in Sachsen-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Skåne County, Skåne län. Another (not shown on map below) on January 14th was over the North Sea, north of the Netherlands, however no reports of sound were made. It was a relatively large, some distance from the coast, and lasted for a considerable duration. I'm currently working on this post regarding the collection of further fireball data and necropsy results. There was a large event in the North Sea in December, and I will update.

2026, February 6. Denmark, Region Esjberg, Blåvand (on North Sea side),sandbank off Blåvandshuk Lighthouse. Another dead cachalot (sperm whale) found stranded and dead.

Image: Maik Graf von Leonstein