World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
A 15.5-metre whale is found dead in the Gironde estuary
A 15.5-metre whale was found dead on 13 October near Saint-Fort-sur-Gironde, beside the Gironde estuary in western France.
The adult animal was estimated to weigh about 20 tonnes, and experts say it may have been a fin whale.
It was found less than a month after a smaller whale washed ashore nearby at Mortagne-sur-Gironde.
This is the fifth cetacean found stranded in Charente-Maritime in 2026, though reports differ on the total number recorded in the local area over time.
Experts have suggested illness, a ship collision or getting lost as possible causes, but no cause has been confirmed.
Two boats tried to move the whale, but the effort failed, and low tides and difficult access make another attempt unlikely.
It is expected to be left where it washed ashore to decompose naturally.
A dead whale measuring 15.5 metres was found near Port-Maubert in Saint-Fort-sur-Gironde on 13 October.
The Pelagis observatory estimated its weight at about 20 tonnes.
Attempts to move the whale failed, and it was expected to be left where it was found.
It was the second whale found dead in the area in less than a month, after a smaller, roughly seven-metre whale was found on 17 September.
The cause of death has not been established, and the two whales may have been fin whales.
- Who
- A dead whale; Pelagis said it measured 15.5 metres and weighed about 20 tonnes.
- What
- The whale was found dead and stranded. Attempts to move it failed.
- When
- It was found on 13 October 2026.
- Where
- Near Port-Maubert in Saint-Fort-sur-Gironde, on the right bank of the Gironde estuary in Charente-Maritime, France.
- Why
- The cause of death is not stated. Experts went to the site to investigate.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The whale was found dead near Port-Maubert in Saint-Fort-sur-Gironde.
Quentin Bonnin prepared to try to pull the whale towards the water with boats.
Two boats' attempts to move the whale had failed, and experts visited the site.
- Length
- 15.5 metres according to Pelagis; other reports gave an estimate of 16 to 17 metres.
- Estimated weight
- About 20 tonnes, according to Pelagis.
- Location
- Near Port-Maubert, Saint-Fort-sur-Gironde, Charente-Maritime.
- Discovery date
- 13 October 2026.
- Earlier nearby stranding
- A roughly seven-metre whale was found at Mortagne-sur-Gironde on 17 September 2026.
3 sources
C'est un phénomène rarissime : deux baleines sont retrouvées au cœur de l'Estuaire de la Gironde en très peu de temps
Une baleine de 15,5 mètres trouvée morte le long de l’estuaire de la Gironde, le cinquième cétacé échoué en Charente-Maritime en 2026
Charente-Maritime. Près de Royan, une baleine de 20 tonnes retrouvée, une opération hors norme se prépare
What people are saying
We tried on Wednesday evening, with two boats, but we could not move the whale. And we are entering a period of small tidal ranges, it will be impossible to pull it.
With the tidal ranges decreasing, we don't have much time; after that there won't be enough water to reach it.