AMCO Investigates Whale Stranding on Limbola Beach, Cameroon

The African Marine Conservation Organisation (AMCO) has launched an investigation following the stranding of a suspected whale on Limbola Beach, Limbe, Cameroon.

On 26 June 2026, AMCO's field response team made up of Cyndi Karel and Ace Massoma was deployed after receiving reports of a stranded whale, some few meters away from the organisation's branch office in Limbola. However, by the time the team arrived, much of the animal had already been butchered and distributed among community members for consumption, limiting the scientific investigation.

Despite the challenges, AMCO researchers documented the remaining parts of the carcass, collected skin, blubber and teeth samples, and recorded the location and environmental conditions. These samples will undergo laboratory analysis to confirm the species, which is currently suspected to be either a sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) or a pygmy or dwarf sperm whale.

The condition of the carcass meant that important information—including the whale's sex, body condition, total length and any visible injuries—could not be determined. Community members reported seeing a fishing net near the stranded animal before it was processed, but AMCO's team was unable to verify whether entanglement played any role in the incident.

However, based on video footage recorded by local people at the time of the stranding, Ace believes the animal may have still been alive when it reached the beach. He further suggests that the whale may have been killed by local people before it was butchered, although this could not be independently verified.

As laboratory analyses continue, AMCO will share any significant findings that improve our understanding of Cameroon’s marine mammals and support efforts to safeguard these species.