Loading...Over the years, I’ve featured all kinds of “caught on tape” blogs. Well, this week is only for those who have a strong stomach! When a whale dies at sea, it usually washes ashore on a beach somewhere and causes quite a stink. It’s the job of local authorities to remove these giant animals before things really get bad. Well, take a look at these videos (WARNING: GRAPHIC FOOTAGE) and think of this the next time you have a bad day at work!
Whales are some of the largest creatures to inhabit our planet’s oceans. Ranging in size from 11 feet to 200 tons, the average life span is 77 years, but they can live well past the century mark. While known as a gentile giant, these creatures were nearly hunted into extinction, with 2 million being killed during the 20th century. Now, only a few countries are still on the hunt, while most have given up in hopes of growing the population. Whalers hunted them for oil, meat, and to make perfume out of their intestines. The issue of whale hunting was the subject for the time travel film, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
Sadly, after the long lives come to and end, many wash up on shore. If not taken care of, they begin to decompose in only two days. Who would want to be next to that giant stinky mess? After they pass, their stomach and intestines fill with gas. (Think of how you feel after eating a bloating meal!)
The following video was recorded last November in the Faroe Islands. The Faroe Islands are about 200 miles northwest of Scotland with a population of about 50,000. While under Danish rule, the island is self governed and prohibit whale hunting. Therefore, the whale in the video was not hunted and died of natural causes.
I feel bad for this guy who had to go in and dissect the carcass for removal. He gets quite a surprise!
WARNING: GRAPHIC FOOTAGE. This did air on Faroe national TV across the island.
http://youtu.be/dCsMNurn3bQ
Since being posted, the video has scored over 4 million hits.
This is not the first time a whale explosion has been caught on camera. Back in November 1980, KATU News in Portland, Oregon was there as another whale washed ashore. This time, town officials decided to blow it up with dynamite in a huge public spectacle… which quickly goes wrong. WARNING: MORE GRAPHIC FOOTAGE taken from the original newscast.
Another video that has scored over 3 million hits.
THE 411
What: exploding whales caught on tape
Why: pressure builds up in whale stomach and intestines after death
JERSEY JOE RECOMMENDS:
These videos are kind of crazy! I think we’ve all learned not to cut into a dead whale. It’s amazing (and a little educational) how the build up of gas inside can cause such an explosion. The pressure was enough to destroy a car in the parking lot! How do you explain that to your insurance company?
Judging by the millions who have viewed these videos, just about anything can become a trending topic on the web.