A young humpback whale has been stranded on Colán beach in the Piura region. Specialists from the Peruvian Sea Institute (IMARPE) examined the animal and confirmed that it was a young humpback whale calf. The carcass was about 5.20 meters long and had been in the sea for several days.
This is not the first such discovery within a few days on the coast of Colán. A significantly larger humpback whale had already been found there previously. The two cases thus once again draw attention to the marine mammals off the coast of northern Peru.
Humpback whale near Colán was about 5.20 meters long
According to IMARPE, the animal was registered on Colán beach in Paita province on August 21, 2026. Experts identified it as a humpback whale of the species Megaptera novaeangliae. Due to its size, the animal was classified as a calf.
During the examination, specialists took various measurements. The whale had a total length of approximately 5.20 meters. The pectoral fin measured 1.62 meters, while the tail fin was measured at 1.65 meters.
The condition of the animal indicated that it had not died directly on the beach. According to IMARPE's assessment, death had occurred several days prior. Ocean currents likely then transported the carcass to the coast of Colán.
Cause of death not yet known
The cause of death of the young humpback whale has not yet been stated. Therefore, what happened to the animal cannot be deduced solely from the location of discovery.
In an earlier discovery in Colán, a more precise examination was also no longer possible. IMARPE had examined a humpback whale about ten meters long there on August 18. The carcass was already in an advanced state of decomposition, so a necropsy could not be performed. A cause of death could therefore not be determined.
According to IMARPE, the experts found no external evidence of entanglement in fishing gear on this previous animal. Nor were there any signs of a collision with a ship. However, this does not mean that a specific other cause of death was thereby proven.
Already the second whale within a short time
The new discovery is particularly striking because several dead whales have been reported on this section of the coast within a short period. The previous animal was a humpback whale about ten meters long. The young whale now documented by IMARPE was considerably smaller at 5.20 meters.
However, the temporal proximity of the cases does not automatically mean that both animals died from the same cause. There are currently no corresponding investigation results for this. The cases rather show how important the scientific recording of stranded marine mammals is.
Size, species, condition, and possible injuries provide important information to experts. This data helps in monitoring the animals that seasonally inhabit the Peruvian coast.
Why are there humpback whales off Piura?
Humpback whales are regular visitors to the coast of northern Peru. Every year, the animals undertake long migrations between their feeding and breeding grounds.
During the South American winter, humpback whales migrate from colder waters to warmer tropical regions. Off northern Peru and Ecuador, they find conditions for mating and giving birth to their young. Therefore, the animals can be observed particularly off the coast of Piura and Tumbes during the season.
The season runs approximately from May to November. During this time, the probability of sightings increases significantly. At the same time, dead or weakened animals can also wash ashore.
For northern Peru, humpback whales have also gained tourist significance. Whale watching tours are offered from various coastal towns during the season.
Colán is directly on the coast of Paita
Colán belongs to the province of Paita and is located on the Pacific coast of the Piura region. The seaside resort is particularly popular with visitors from Piura and other parts of northern Peru.
The long coastline also ensures that changes in the sea are directly perceived there. In mid-August, unusually strong waves and high tides flooded parts of Colán. Water entered several streets and access areas.
Whether these conditions are related to the transport of the young whale carcass to the beach was not determined by IMARPE. Experts only assume that ocean currents brought the already dead animal to Colán.
Sea off Paita unusually warm at present
The current development of sea temperatures is also interesting. IMARPE reported on August 20 a sustained warming along the Peruvian coast. The deviation was particularly clear off Paita.
There, the measured temperature anomaly was plus 5.99 degrees Celsius compared to the respective reference value. Strong positive deviations were also registered off Callao and Paracas.
However, a direct connection between this warming and the death of the young humpback whale has not been proven. The two pieces of information should therefore be considered separately.
For monitoring the sea off Piura, the unusually high temperatures are nevertheless significant. Changes in water temperature can affect ocean currents, food availability, and various species.
What to do if a whale is stranded?
Anyone who finds a stranded whale or other large marine mammal should keep their distance. This also applies if the animal is obviously already dead. The animals should not be touched or moved independently.
With dead marine mammals, there can also be health risks due to the progressing decomposition process. Finds should therefore be reported to the responsible authorities.
Such reports are important for experts. Scientific documentation helps to record changes in marine mammals off the Peruvian coast and to investigate possible accumulations of strandings.
Two whale strandings bring Colán into focus
The current discovery concerns a humpback whale calf only about 5.20 meters long. According to IMARPE's assessment, the animal had been dead for several days before currents brought it to Colán beach. A cause of death has not yet been released.
The case is receiving particular attention due to the previous discovery of a roughly ten-meter-long humpback whale on the same stretch of coast. Whether there is a connection between the two strandings has not been proven.
The two cases are therefore initially considered separately. For IMARPE, they provide further data on the humpback whales that reach the waters off northern Peru during their annual migration.
Frequent Questions about the Humpback Whale in Colán
Where was the humpback whale found?
The young humpback whale was found on Colán beach in Paita province. Paita belongs to the Piura region in northern Peru.
How large was the stranded whale?
According to IMARPE, the animal was approximately 5.20 meters long. Experts classified the humpback whale as a calf.
When was the animal found?
IMARPE registered the stranded humpback whale on August 21, 2026. The authority reported on the case on August 24.
Was the humpback whale still alive?
No. According to experts, the animal had been dead for several days. The carcass was probably transported to the beach by ocean currents.
Is the cause of death known?
No. The cause of death for the young animal has not yet been announced.
Was this the first whale stranding in Colán?
No. A few days earlier, a humpback whale about ten meters long had already been found in Colán. Due to advanced decomposition, its cause of death also could not be determined.
When can humpback whales be observed off northern Peru?
Humpback whales are seasonally present off the coast of northern Peru. The observation season is approximately between May and November.
Sources
Agencia Andina, Report on the young humpback whale in Colán, August 24, 2026.
Instituto del Mar del Perú, Information on whale strandings in Colán.
IMARPE, Boletín Diario Oceanográfico, August 20, 2026.