After a dead whale, possibly a sperm whale, was found beached in Comino, renowned marine biologist Alan Deidun shared some fun facts about the species and its links to Malta.

Dr Deidun pointed out that the sperm whale, the largest toothed waters, is so well known from Maltese waters that a Maltese common name – ‘gabdoll’ or ‘balena ta’ rasha twila’ – has been given to the species.

It normally resides in deep waters, not shallower than 500m and dives to depths as great at 2,000m, where it hunts for all sorts of prey, especially large squid.

He noted that the first records of sperm whale species from Maltese waters are attributed to naturalist Gavino Gulia, who wrote in the 1800s that three sperm whales were found beached in the port of Marsaxlokk.

Dr Gulia had recounted how the whale carcasses were broken down and the blubber, 16cm in thickness, was melted and given to the poor as a replacement for oil.

The sperm whale was reported in Maltese waters on at least two other occasions in the 19th century and early 20th century, and on a number of occasions since 1969.

“This beaching should remind us that the Mediterranean is well and truly a miniature ocean, with species of megafauna, notably sharks, dolphins, marine turtles and even whales, roaming this basin,” Dr Deidun said. “Let’s cherish such a sea given the richness of the marine biodiversity it supports.”