The orca whale found dead in Cork harbour over a week ago died from blood poisoning, experts at UCC have determined.
The orca, a 30 ft female, and two companions, had been regaling crowds with their antics in the harbour since the end of June. The three whales had broken away from a larger pod off the south coast.
On July 8th last, one of the animals was found floating at Roche's Point. It was brought ashore at Crosshaven boatyard, where experts from the UCC departments of agriculture and food and zoology performed a post-mortem examination.
The whale, whose teeth had been practically worn away, died of a lower jaw abscess which led to blood poisoning. The infection entered the animal's gums, where the worn teeth had led to exposed cavities.
It is likely it had come inshore to feed more easily on shoals of fish, as it was suffering with the infection, said Ms Sinead Murphy of UCC. The skull of the orca was presented to the National Archive by the department of zoology at UCC. The other two whales remain in Cork harbour.