POSTMORTEM INVESTIGATIONS ON WINTER STRANDED SPERM WHALES FROM THE COASTS OF BELGIUM AND THE NETHERLANDS

During winter 1994-95, four and three sperm whales (Physeter macroceph alus) were stranded along the Belgian and the Dutch coasts, respective ly. Necropsies and tissue samplings were collected 24 hrs post mortem. Lesions on several whales included round and linear skin scars, ventr al skin abrasions, acute skin ulcers, acute ulcerative stomatitides, a cute to chronic external otitides, and passive visceral congestion. In addition, these sperm whales appeared to be debilitated with severe w eight deficit, had blubber thickness reduction, the absence of abdomin al fat, and the intestinal tracts were almost empty. Three categories of lesions and their possible relation with the stranding were evaluat ed. Cutaneous scars observed on the seven whales appeared to have no r elation with the stranding. The poor body condition and acute integume nt ulcerative lesions were present before the stranding. Ventral skin abrasions and visceral passive congestion were caused by the stranding s. Absence of food in the alimentary tracts, evidence of weight loss a nd blubber thickness reduction were compatible with an extended presen ce of the sperm whales in the North Sea, where adequate food is not av ailable. This might lead to progressive weakness, predisposing the ani mals to secondary pathogens such as viral diseases. Finally, the coast al configuration of the southern North Sea makes it a trap for sperm w hales which have entered the area during their wanderings.