What caused the death of the rare pygmy sperm whale in Utila?

The pygmy sperm whale in Utila died from complications likely caused by ingesting a plastic bag and a heavy parasitic infestation.

What is the UN doing about plastic pollution?

The UN is negotiating a legally binding plastics treaty to address the entire lifecycle of plastic and promote a circular economy.

How much plastic pollution enters the ocean?

An estimated 19 to 23 million tons of plastic finds its way into waterways annually.

Home / Environment / Plastic Bag Kills Rare Whale on Utila

Plastic Bag Kills Rare Whale on Utila

29 Dec, 2025

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Summary

A rare pygmy sperm whale died after attempting to beach itself.
The whale's stomach contained a plastic bag and parasites.
This highlights the devastating impact of ocean plastics.

A juvenile pygmy sperm whale, sighted for the first time in Utila, has died after a period of distress where it repeatedly attempted to beach itself. Subsequent necropsy revealed a significant factor in its demise: a plastic bag and a heavy parasitic infestation were found in its nearly empty stomach, suggesting severe digestive complications.

This rare and unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive threat posed by ocean plastic pollution to marine ecosystems. With billions of tons of plastic generated since 1950 and millions of tons entering waterways annually, the non-biodegradable nature of plastic exacerbates the crisis.

The international community is actively pursuing solutions, with the United Nations negotiating a legally binding plastics treaty. This initiative aims to transform the plastic lifecycle, promoting circular economy principles and alternatives to single-use items, recognizing that a systemic shift is crucial to combatting pollution.