For the first time in Korea, an autopsy of large whales over 10 meters was held in Jeju.

More than 30 whale-related experts from Jeju National University, Seoul National University, Inha University, Hanyang University, Chungnam National University, and the World Natural Fund (WWF) entered Whale autopsy at Hallim Port in Jeju City today (3rd).

This is the first time a large whale autopsy over 10m is in Korea.

The whale was discovered by fishing boat H, a fishing net of Yeosu, about 40 km northwest of Biyang-do, Hallim-eup, Jeju City, on the 22nd of last month.

It was originally estimated to be a minke whale, but it was finally confirmed by a DNA survey.

This whale is a female, 12.6 meters long and weighs about 12 tons.

Although it is a large whale that is 4 stories high, but small enough to grow to over 20m, experts estimate it to be a young whale.

In the summer of 2004, a 14-meter-long Bridal Whale carcass was found on the shore of Gamun-dong, Hagwi-ri, Aewol-eup, Jeju-si.

The whale is made of skeletal specimens and displayed at the Jeju Folklore & Natural History Museum.
The autopsy will be conducted in a variety of areas, including the presence of viruses, bacteria and parasites, as well as the analysis of persistent organic chemicals to determine the impact of human life on the whale ecology and the presence of marine debris, including microplastics.

The autopsy begins with a visual inspection, removes the abdominal cavity, deflates the gas, and determines the incision.

After that, fat and scapula are removed and organs are harvested.

After the autopsy, the remaining carcasses are transferred to a medical waste incinerator in Jangheung, Jeonnam, where they are disposed of.

The remaining skeleton is produced as a skeleton specimen in the Jeju Folklore & Natural History Museum.

An official from the World Natural Fund said, "Whales generally die from diseases and parasitic infections, but recently they starve to death due to climate change." "The autopsy will be an important step for the conservation of large whales in Korea."

(Photo = Yonhap News)