Anthropogenic impact on a pregnant Cuvier's beaked whale ( Ziphius cavirostris ) stranded in Brazil

• Published in: Marine Biodiversity Records
• Main Authors: Bortolotto, Guilherme A., Morais, Igor Oliveira Braga, Ferreira, Paulo Roberto Bahiano, Reis, Maria do Socorro Santos dos, Souto, Luciano Raimundo Alardo
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: Ziphiidae; Cetacean; Reproduction; Marine debris; Brazil; Toothed whale; toothed whale
• Online Access: https://research-portal.st-andrews.ac.uk/en/researchoutput/anthropogenic-impact-on-a-pregnant-cuviers-beaked-whale-ziphius-cavirostris-stranded-in-brazil(14527fee-fe62-4d07-9c8e-f60aaf3cb7f7).html; https://doi.org/10.1186/s41200-016-0055-0; https://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/bitstream/10023/18670/1/Bortolotto_2016_Anthropogenic_impact_MBR_30_CC.pdf

Background: Because of their usually cryptic behaviour, most knowledge on the biology of beaked whales are from records of stranded animals. Although the Cuvier’s beaked whale ( Ziphius cavirostris ) is the best known species of the ziphiidae family, little information on its reproduction is available. Results: Here we report on the stranding of a dead pregnant female with clear signs of anthropogenic impact, including the presence of a fishing artefact in the stomach. Conclusions: The region of the stranding (north-eastern coast of Brazil) is an area of increasing interest for oil and gas exploitation. Conservation concerns may arise from findings such as the one presented and discussed here.