22-04-2025
- Science
- North Wales Chronicle
Dolphin measuring more than three metres found dead on Anglesey
Gandalf, an old adult male bottlenose dolphin measuring 3.29 metres in length, had washed up at Porth Tyn Tywyn, a beach near Rhosenigr, last week.
It was estimated that he had only been dead for 24 to 48 hours when he was found.
Marine Environmental Monitoring (MEM), the Welsh arm of the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, investigated Gandalf, and found he weighed 510kg – 'one of the heaviest' it had come across.
Gandalf's worn teeth (Image: M Sidall) READ MORE:
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Due to distinctive markings on his fin, he was identified as a member of the Cardigan Bay population.
MEM said: 'When we carried out our initial inspection, we found that his teeth were worn down which is common in this age of dolphin.
'He also had markings across his body from interactions with other bottlenose dolphins. Apart from that, he had no obvious injuries and seemed to have been a healthy dolphin.'
After being recovered, Gandalf was then transported to the University of Liverpool, where a post-mortem examination was carried out.
This showed that he had been a healthy bottlenose dolphin with a good blubber layer, which indicated that he had been feeding well, but there was no sign of feeding lately.
But when his intestines were investigated two hard blockages were found near the anus end.
These blockages had caused the intestines to split between the blockages, which is the most likely cause of death for Gandalf.
The dorsal fin with notches out which enable identification. (Image: M Sidall) MEM added: 'We currently aren't sure what the blockages are, so they have been sent off for further investigation, but they looked to be a claylike substance.
'The team at Liverpool University have taken lots of samples from all the organs and the blockage.
'These samples will now be sent to partner agencies throughout the UK and Europe for further testing.
'These tests will make sure that there wasn't underling diseases or other contributing factors to his death. They will also test for pollutants and a long list of other things.'
If you do come across a stranded marine animal, you can phone call MEM on 0800 652 0333.
