Rare beluga whale spotted off Dutch coast in January likely found dead in Zeeland

A decomposed whale-like carcass that washed ashore Friday in Kamperland, Zeeland, and an earlier report of a dead beluga on Banjaardstrand both point to what experts believe is the same rare beluga whale that was seen multiple times along the Dutch and Belgian coasts earlier this year.

The carcass, about 16 feet long, was found in an advanced state of decomposition. Jaap van der Hiele from Stichting Reddingsteam Zeedieren told NU.nl that it is “90 percent certain” the animal is a beluga. He said the body was damaged and likely swelled and burst before washing ashore.

Stichting ReddingsTeam Zeedieren said it is most likely the same beluga that was repeatedly seen in January near Callantsoog in Noord-Holland and along other parts of the Dutch and Belgian coastline. That animal attracted public attention and what officials described as “beluga tourism” earlier this year.

Experts say it is extremely rare for belugas to appear in Dutch waters. The last confirmed sighting before this year was in 1966. Belugas normally live in Arctic and subarctic waters around the polar region and typically do not travel south of northern Norway. SOS Dolfijn described the animal in January as “incredibly rare” in Dutch waters.

Van der Hiele suggested that the animal was likely unwell and that currents may have carried it into the Oosterschelde.

A beluga is a white whale with a small, rounded head and a short snout. It can grow up to 23 feet long and weigh up to 4,400 pounds. SOS Dolfijn said in January that people should only observe the animal from the beach.

Jeroen Hoekendijk of SOS Dolfijn said the carcass is being transported to Utrecht University for examination next week. He said final identification remains uncertain due to the advanced state of decomposition.