Whale sighted off Barranco

Barranco Village in the Toledo district has an unexpected first-time visitor last week when a whale surfaced offshore. The mammal estimated to be about fifty feet long lingered near Barranco for four days. The Toledo Institute for Development, TIDE and the Belize Marine Mammal Stranding Network dispatched a team to the area over the weekend and although they caught glimpses of the whale they were unable to identify the species. It is believed the whale may have lost its way to deeper waters or may be ill and dying. The Belize Marine Mammal Network is asking the public, particular those on the southern coast or cayes to report any sightings of the whale, along with a description to their following hotlines: 0-800-MANATEE, or TIDE 07-22274.