First record of a pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps, Blainville, 1838) stranding along the coast of Viti Levu, Fiji

On 18 July 2020, a small whale was found stranded along the eastern shoreline of Viti Levu, Fiji. The whale died two days later despite efforts to refloat and guide it out to sea. Morphometric measurements and photo identification confirm it to be an adult male pygmy sperm whale, Kogia breviceps (Blanville, 1838). This specimen acts as the first confirmed record of the species in Fiji.

Automated summary

On July 18, 2020, a small whale was found stranded on the eastern shore of Viti Levu, Fiji. Despite efforts to refloat and guide it back to sea, the whale died two days later. Morphometric measurements and photo identification confirmed it as an adult male pygmy sperm whale, marking the species' first confirmed record in Fiji.