Vilufushi Council: Work ongoing to remove 55-ft whale

The Council of Thaa Vilufushi has said that work was under way to remove what is believed to be sperm whale, measuring 55 feet in length, which has washed ashore on the island.

President of Vilufushi Council Ibrahim Shafiu told Sun Online that the beached whale was sighted and reported by an island resident, following which efforts were launched by police in collaboration with Health Centre officials to remove or destroy it.

“The whale is severely decomposed. Discussions are ongoing on how best to remove it. I think it will have to be buried,” said Shafiu.

He also denied reports that the whale was to be searched for ambergris. No such discussions have taken place, he said, and given the decomposed state of the whale, efforts have been strictly focused on destroying it.