Rescued false killer whales dies after second stranding in Sematan.

SEMATAN: A 3.85-metre adult female false killer whale has died after becoming stranded for a second time along the Pueh coastline in Sematan.

The Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) said the marine mammal was initially rescued and returned to sea with the help of the Civil Defence Force, police and members of the public.

However, at about 9am on Oct 3, local fishermen reported that it had washed ashore again near Pantai Kem Belia Pueh. The animal was already weak and died at around 2pm.

A necropsy later found shark bite marks on its body, while its stomach contained very little food and was mixed with sand – suggesting it may not have been feeding sufficiently before becoming stranded.

SFC said its death was believed to be linked to complications from the stranding, including possible circulatory failure caused by heat stress.

The animal was identified as an adult female false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), measuring 3.85 metres long with a body circumference of 1.77 metres.

SFC reminded the public not to handle stranded, injured or dead wildlife themselves, but to immediately alert the corporation so trained personnel can respond.