Scientists puzzled over how 36-foot whale ended up 50ft from the sea in Amazon rainforest

The discovery of a 36-foot humpback whale carcass in the Amazon rainforest in 2019 has left experts scratching their heads, as no one can explain how it got there.

The unusual incident occurred on Marajo Island, located at the mouth of the Amazon river. The whale, weighing a staggering 10 tonnes, was found at Araruna Beach, far from its natural habitat, concealed in the undergrowth.

Various theories have emerged to explain the whale’s presence in the jungle. One hypothesis suggests that the whale may have been thrown out of the water and into the woods by rough seas. However, this theory has not been confirmed.

To unravel the mystery, a team of specialists from the NGO Bicho D’Agua Institute visited the site to investigate the cause of death. They determined that the whale was a 12-month-old calf, but the circumstances leading to its demise remain unclear.

According to Dirlene Silva from SEMMA, the Brazilian environmental department, the whale was discovered due to the presence of scavenging birds circling above the carcass. The team also considered the possibility that the whale may have become entangled in the mangroves after being washed ashore onto the island.

Renata Emin, president of Bicho D’Agua and a marine specialist, speculated that the whale might have been floating close to the shore when a considerable tide picked it up and threw it inland into the mangrove. She noted that it is highly unusual for a humpback whale to be present on the north coast of Brazil in February, as they are typically found in the Bahia area between August and November before migrating to Antarctica.

The team remains puzzled by the incident, particularly as whales are rarely seen in the area. They believe the calf may have been travelling with its mother and became lost or separated during their migratory cycle between continents.

Despite the efforts of experts, the mystery of how the humpback whale ended up in the Amazon jungle remains unsolved, leaving scientists intrigued and the public amazed by the bizarre occurrence.