The Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFA) as already informed the public yesterday, Thursday 09/02/2023, 4 strandings of cetaceans of the species Ziphius cavirostris (scientific name Ziphius cavirostris) were recorded on the northern coast of Paphos in the areas of Polis-Gialias-Argas.
Personnel from TATF, members of the Youth of Polis Chrysochous, and people from the local community went immediately to the area, and in adverse conditions, after superhuman efforts, 3 individuals of Zifis were returned to the sea, while the 4th individual was already dead.
Today, since the early hours of the morning, staff of the TAFE and the Department of Forests, started investigating along the shoreline to find possible other washed up Zephyrs. So far, 6 dead individuals of the species have been recorded along the coastline under the control of the Republic of Cyprus (from Polis Chrysochous to Pachyammos). It is possible that some of them may be individuals that were returned to the sea last night.
At the moment, staff of the CRL, together with staff from the Veterinary Services of the Republic of Cyprus and a veterinarian from the NGO ARION, with which the CRL collaborates, are going to the sites for on-the-spot examinations of the dead Zephyrs. It is expected that necropsy and autopsy procedures will be carried out and samples will be collected, which will be sent for specialised examinations and assessment of possible causes of death.
TATHE would like to thank all the citizens who contributed to the great effort to help this protected species, as well as the NGO ARION and the Services of the Republic for the excellent cooperation.
(MX/IK)
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