Dead Whale Found in Naples Port After Earlier Sighting
Naples, March 1, 2026 – A whale previously sighted disoriented near the Molo Beverello in Naples on Monday morning, February 24, has been found dead. The carcass was discovered on Friday evening, February 27, shortly before 9 PM, near the port entrance by the Coast Guard vessel Bruno Gregoretti, floating lifeless.
The Naples Port Authority – Coast Guard immediately alerted patrol boat SAR CP890, which, together with a naval vessel from the Naples mooring group, moved the now-adrift whale from the shipping lanes entering and exiting the port. This action was crucial to prevent it from posing a danger to navigation safety.
Carcass moved to shipyard for examination
In the early hours of Saturday morning, the whale was transferred to the Piloda shipyard in the port of Naples. The shipyard offered its facilities to safely house the carcass and provide mechanical means and equipment for its potential movement.
Later on Saturday morning, personnel from the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy arrived at the shipyard to conduct technical and health assessments. This institute is responsible for performing the autopsy to determine the cause of death of the cetacean. They were joined by representatives from the Campania Region, specifically from ASL Napoli 1 Centro, the Regional Reference Center for Fishery Health Safety, and the Regional Reference Center for Urban Veterinary Hygiene.
Regional authorities prioritize investigation
Fiorella Zabatta, Councillor for Biodiversity and Animal Protection, emphasized the priority of understanding the cause of death. “Understanding the causes of death is considered a priority, also in light of elements observed during the operations, including the presence of blood emanating from the cetacean, a circumstance that will require further scientific investigation to verify whether the death is attributable to natural causes or other factors,” Zabatta stated. She added that national experts would join the operational working group starting Sunday to assist with the activities. The Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy will conduct targeted sampling and analyses, including toxicological investigations and the search for any polluting substances.
Councillor Zabatta, who was present during the recovery operations, noted that the recovery proved more complex than expected due to difficulties related to moving the cetacean and the stability of the slings used for lifting.
The recovery, Zabatta explained, is aimed at transferring the cetacean to a specialized and authorized center where a necroscopic examination will be performed to determine the cause of death. “Starting tomorrow,” she announced, “national experts will also join the activities, supporting the already operational working group. The Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy will carry out targeted sampling and analyses, including toxicological investigations and the search for any polluting substances.”
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of marine life in busy port areas and the efforts of regional authorities to investigate and understand such occurrences.
