Case Report: Ambergris coprolite and septicemia in a male sperm whale stranded in La Palma (Canary Islands)

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On the 21st of May 2023, a dead adult male sperm whale ( Physeter macrocephalus ) of 13 m in length and estimated weight of around 18,000 kg was reportedly stranded at Playa Los Nogales, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain. A necropsy was performed 48hpm. A 50 cm diameter and 9.5 kg coprolite was found obstructing the caudal colon-rectal lumen. Necro-hemorrhagic lesions were found in heart muscles and three different bacteria of intestinal origin were isolated and identified ( Edwarsiella tarda , Hathewaya limosa and Clostridium perfringens ). It is reported a lethal septicemia of intestinal origin associated with ambergris coprolite as cause of death in this sperm whale.