DRC - A whale washes ashore on the Atlantic coast in Muanda, Kongo Central province

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DRC: A 15-meter whale washes ashore on the coast at Mwanda and dies despite the efforts of the ICCN

by Desk Nature |July 2, 2026 | Biodiversity | 0 comments

The inhabitants of Muanda, in the Kongo Central province, witnessed an exceptional and moving scene on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. A whale approximately 15 meters long washed up on the beach of this coastal city in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Alerted, teams from the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) quickly went to the scene to try to return the cetacean to the water. Despite their efforts, the animal did not survive, sparking strong emotions among the local population and reigniting questions about the presence of large marine mammals in Congolese waters.

The event also reignited the debate among local residents. While some claim to have never witnessed such a spectacle, others maintain that the presence of whales and dolphins along the Congolese coast is nothing out of the ordinary. Several fishermen assert that they have already observed these species off the coast of Muanda in previous years.

Experts point out that the Atlantic waters bordering the DRC, particularly near the mouth of the Congo River, lie on the migratory routes of several cetacean species, notably humpback whales. Every year, between June and September, these mammals leave the cold waters of Antarctica to reach the warmer waters of the Gulf of Guinea, where they breed and give birth.

Beyond the exceptional nature of this stranding, the incident highlights the difficulties faced by the ICCN's eco-guards. Lacking adequate logistical and technical resources, including lifting equipment, tugboats, and specialized veterinary assistance, the agents were unable to save the animal.

The exact causes of this stranding remain unknown. According to experts, several factors could explain this type of phenomenon, including disease, the animal's age, a collision with a ship, or disorientation caused by noise and plastic pollution, which are increasingly affecting marine ecosystems.

This unprecedented episode in Muanda reminds us, once again, of the richness but also the fragility of the marine biodiversity of the Congolese coast, as well as the need to strengthen the intervention capacities of the services responsible for its protection.

https://desknature.com/2026/07/02/r...la-cote-mwanda-et-succombe-malgre-les-efforts
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Muanda: A whale washes ashore on the Atlantic coast

July 2, 2026

Muanda, July 2, 2026 (ACP).- A whale beached itself on Thursday on the Atlantic coast in Muanda in Kongo Central, in the southwest of the Democratic Republic of Congo, ACP observed.

" The cetacean, still alive, found on the beach, attracted many curious onlookers who came to observe this unusual phenomenon. Officials from the territorial administration and those from the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN), present on the beach, were consulting in order to determine the circumstances of this stranding ," reported an ACP journalist.

A heartbreaking scene

This whale, beached since Tuesday, is dying in front of a distraught local population who, due to a lack of awareness, are approaching the animal dangerously without realizing the seriousness of the situation.

Unlike rescue protocols deployed elsewhere in the world, the ICCN is experiencing difficulties in saving this cetacean.

Faced with this lack of institutional response, the cetacean has become, for some, a mere food source. A short-sighted view that overlooks the crucial ecological role of this giant of the seas.

This situation highlights a major deficiency: the lack of a national system dedicated to the protection of marine wildlife.

More than just a minor incident, this stranding highlights the urgent need for the Democratic Republic of Congo to develop a genuine strategy for preserving its biodiversity.

With the balance of our ecosystems threatened, this incident serves as a stark warning: protecting our natural heritage must become a national priority. It is high time we acted to ensure that the management of our natural resources finally reflects their true importance.

It should also be noted that the stranding of a whale is a rare phenomenon on this part of the Congolese Atlantic coast, we have learned.

ACP/M/KIT

https://acp.cd/science-sante-environnement/muanda-une-baleine-sechoue-sur-la-cote-atlantique/
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Death of a whale on Muanda beach: ICCN warns local population

Published on Fri, 03/07/2026 - 13:45 | Modified on Fri, 03/07/2026 - 14:51

An unusual event is drawing crowds to the beach in Muanda (Kongo-Central) until the morning of Friday, July 3, 2026. A beached whale, which ultimately died after several unsuccessful attempts to refloat it, is the reason. The animal, estimated to be between 10 and 12 meters long, weighed around ten tons.

The cetacean was found dead on Wednesday evening on the Congolese Atlantic coast. This particularly rare event attracted the attention of many onlookers in this area usually characterized by artisanal fishing and coastal shipping.

Authorities, residents, and agents from the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) mobilized. Attempts were made to return the animal to the Atlantic Ocean, its natural habitat, but without success.

The discovery of this marine mammal has aroused astonishment and strong emotion among the residents of Muanda.

According to several witnesses, the animal was still alive when it was discovered.

However, the head of the Marine Park of Mangroves and provincial director of L'icône/Kongo-Central, De Dieu By'Ayombe, believes that nothing could have been done to save the animal.

"When the whale washed ashore, we realized that these were just the last signs the whale had shown. But, it was no longer alive, it was truly dying."

On the scene, some curious locals said they had seen bullet marks on the whale.

On this subject, De Dieu By'Ayombe provides further clarification:

"Those who were there observed that there were even holes, and thought they were bullet wounds. But, they were parasites that penetrate the skin of whales, which can hide zoonoses that are at the root of many diseases."

Regarding health precautions, the director of the ICCN warns anyone who has been in contact with the animal. He assures that all measures are being taken to ensure that the animal is not consumed by the public.

"It's a completely protected species of CTS. We are not allowed to share the meat or consume it. Everyone who has touched it must go to hospitals to be tested. We don't know what diseases it can transmit so far."

This stranding also raises questions about the presence of whales in DRC waters and the means available to intervene quickly in the event of an emergency situation on the coast.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2026/07/...-sur-la-plage-de-muanda-liccn-met-en-garde-la

 

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The whale that washed ashore in Muanda has finally been laid to rest.

Published on Sun, 05/07/2026 - 21:34 | Modified on Sun, 05/07/2026 - 23:36

It's the end of an emotionally charged week in the coastal town of Muanda (Kongo-Central). After several days of fascination, curiosity, and public mobilization, the whale, a sea monster nearly 12 meters long and weighing over 10 tons, was finally buried on Saturday, July 4th. The final event took place near the village of Makasamba, following a short traditional ceremony.

Discovered last Thursday, the imposing marine mammal was taken to its final resting place in a procession that took on the air of a popular tribute.

Funeral procession

This unprecedented event is a reminder of the richness, but also the fragility, of the marine biodiversity of the Congolese coastline.

Accompanied by a motorcade, brass bands, and an impressive crowd, the carcass of the giant whale, which had captivated Muanda for several days, made its final journey through the city, strapped to the back of a container ship. It was then buried in a specially prepared grave, set up by the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN).

Unprecedented!

Stranded a few days ago on the beach near Kilometer 5, to everyone's surprise, the whale attracted hundreds of onlookers. In neighborhoods, markets, and everywhere else, it became the topic of every conversation.

Despite the efforts of the ICCN teams to return it to the Atlantic Ocean, the whale unfortunately did not survive. The circumstances of its death remain unknown to this day.

Due to its considerable size, a crane had to be brought in from Matadi to move the carcass. Given the risks associated with its decomposition, burial had become essential.

The sea monster lies underground

ICCN officials have repeatedly called on residents not to touch the whale or consume its meat, pending possible analyses.

Upon arriving at the site prepared as its final resting place, the whale was buried after a short traditional ceremony. This final act brought to a close an emotionally charged week.

In Muanda, the passage of the giant of the seas will remain etched in the memories of the inhabitants for a long time.

https://www.radiookapi.net/2026/07/05/actualite/societe/la-baleine-echouee-muanda-enfin-inhumee

 

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Mwanda: "The stranded whale will be exhumed for scientific study" (Professor Malik Muamba)

September 2, 2026

Kinshasa, September 2, 2026 (ACP) - The beached whale will be officially exhumed nine weeks after being buried on the coast of Muanda in Kongo Central province (Southwest of the Democratic Republic of Congo) for scientific studies, Professor Malick Muamba, an environmental expert, told ACP on Wednesday.

“The announcement was made by the Minister of the Environment, Marie Nyange Ndambo. According to her, this operation will allow researchers to conduct in-depth scientific studies on the remains in order to learn more about the causes of this exceptional event. Following the Minister's speech in Muanda: a plea for a government commission tasked with developing a national protocol for the exhumation of large mammals,” declared Professor Dr. Malick Muamba.

"The exhumation of the whale that stranded on the Congolese coast is an important decision for scientific research and the conservation of our biological heritage. After several weeks of burial, this operation should not, however, be considered a simple technical intervention aimed at recovering a carcass. It represents a true scientific operation, which must be conducted according to a rigorous, documented and multidisciplinary protocol," he added.

Advocacy for the establishment of a scientific and technical commission It is in this perspective that Professor Muamba Tshibangu said he had launched an appeal for the establishment, by the Government, of a scientific and technical commission charged with developing a national protocol relating to the exhumation, study, conservation and enhancement of large terrestrial and marine mammals found dead on the national territory.

He described the situation as exceptional, requiring an exceptional scientific response. "The stranding of a whale on the coast of Muanda is a rare event for the DRC. Such a specimen potentially represents a considerable source of scientific information on marine biodiversity, coastal ecosystems, cetacean biology, and the interactions between human activities and the marine environment."

The announced exhumation should therefore be seen as a national scientific opportunity. Depending on the specimen's state of preservation, it may allow for the documentation of its anatomy, taxonomic identity, certain biological characteristics, and potentially the search for clues that could shed light on the circumstances of its death.

“It would therefore be regrettable if the operation were carried out without a prior scientific methodology and without ensuring the preservation of elements of research value,” the environmental expert stated. Why a government commission? He explained that the complexity of such an operation justifies the mobilization of several disciplines. According to him, the commission could include specialists in: zoology and mammalogy, marine biology, veterinary medicine and animal pathology, ecology and biodiversity conservation, anatomy and osteology, microbiology, genetics and molecular biology, and geology and sedimentology.

The committee will also include specialists in museology, scientific collection conservation, environmental health and safety, as well as representatives from relevant government agencies. He argued that such a diverse composition would prevent a scientific intervention of this importance from being limited to a single discipline. Furthermore, Professor Muamba indicated that the commission's first task should be to develop a national protocol for the scientific exhumation of large mammals.

This protocol should notably define the different stages of the intervention: First: securing and documenting the site. Before any excavation, the expert indicated, the site must be georeferenced, photographed, and documented. The characteristics of the terrain, the burial depth, the nature of the materials used to cover the remains, and the environmental conditions must be recorded. Second: controlled exhumation.

The exhumation must be carried out gradually in order to preserve as many anatomical elements as possible and to document their position. Each element discovered should be identified, photographed, numbered, and recorded. Thirdly: scientific sampling. When their state of preservation allows, samples can be sent for various analyses: DNA, histology, microbiology, isotopic analysis, or other appropriate examinations.

These samples must be taken according to a traceability chain guaranteeing their scientific value. Fourth: the recovery and preservation of the skeleton. The skeleton should not be considered mere biological waste. It can constitute a scientific reference collection, particularly for university teaching, research, and raising public awareness of marine biodiversity. From remains to national scientific heritage: The real question that arises today, according to Professor Muamba, therefore goes beyond the exhumation of this whale.


“We must ask ourselves: what do we want to do with this specimen after its exhumation? Our proposal is clear: when a specimen presents exceptional scientific interest, the State should prioritize its preservation and enhancement. The skeleton could, in time, be restored and preserved in an appropriate scientific or museum institution. It could become an educational tool for students, researchers, pupils, and the general public.”

It could also contribute to the development of scientific and environmental tourism in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A first step towards a national policy: "The Muanda experience could thus serve as a reference for the future," he explained. Rich biodiversity: According to expert Muamba, the DRC possesses exceptional biodiversity.

In the future, it may face other situations involving elephants, hippos, whales, dolphins, great apes, or other species of scientific and heritage interest. "It would therefore be wise for the country not to react on a case-by-case basis. We need a national scientific framework that allows authorities, universities, research centers, and technical services to intervene quickly and in accordance with best scientific practices."

Following the speech by the Minister of the Environment in Muanda, I therefore make the following plea: That the Government of the Republic establish a scientific and technical commission tasked with developing a national protocol for the exhumation, study, conservation, and enhancement of large mammals found dead and of scientific, ecological, or heritage interest,” the professor stated. He concluded that “the exhumation of the whale in Muanda should not be merely the end of an exceptional event. It can be the beginning of a new Congolese policy for the conservation of biological heritage.”

This whale could thus go from being an animal carcass to a scientific specimen, an educational tool, and part of the DRC's natural heritage. Science must now take over. ACP/Ng.

Mwanda : «la Baleine échouée sera exhumée pour les études scientifiques»(Professeur Malik Muamba) - ACP

Kinshasa , 2 septembre 2026(ACP).-La baleine échouée va être exhumée officiellement,neuf semaines après son enfouissement sur la côte de Muanda dans la province du Kongo Central (Sud-ouest de la République démocratique du Congo) pour les études scientifiques a signalé mercredi à l'ACP le...

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