In December 2019, a Sperm Whale was washed ashore on the Scottish coast. Following the autopsy to determine the causes of the animal’s death, 100 kilos of waste were found in its belly. It included fishing nets, ropes, plastic bags and straws.

While the link between the death of the animal and the waste it had ingested was not proven, the majestic cetacean was neither sick nor injured. We may however consider that the waste would have hindered the animal’s digestion.