A Cuvier's beaked whale has been found dead on a beach in Carrickabraghy, Co Donegal, just days after five other whales were stranded across parts of the north and west of the country.
Between last Friday and Tuesday (3-7 August) five Cuvier's beaked whales were found stranded.
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group said it originally received reports of three dead whales on 4 August in Donegal and Mayo.
One animal was in Sheephaven Bay, one on Gola Island and one at Tirraun on the Mullet Peninsula.
All three animals had likely been dead for several days and were in poor but similar condition, suggesting the possibility that all three had died around the same time.
The IWDG said it then received two further reported Cuvier's strandings from Omey Island, Co Galway on 3 August and from Cliffony, Co Sligo on 7 August.
Dr Simon Berrow, of the IWDG said: "Cuvier's beaked whales are a deep diving species and have previously been found to be particularly affected by loud underwater man-made noise, for example naval sonar.
"Five recorded strandings of this species in so few days is definitely cause for concern and, as we so often say, is a minimum number, as other dead carcasses may not wash ashore or may go unreported for other reasons."
The sixth Cuvier's beaked whale has been found dead on a beach in Carrickabraghy, Co Donegal, today.
