On November 10, 2024, a humpback whale measuring between 7 and 10 meters and weighing 10 to 12 tonnes ran aground on the reefs of Réville, in the English Channel. The discovery, made by boaters, aroused emotion and triggered a major recovery operation. To avoid any pollution of the oyster beds of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, the customs and SDIS services took charge of transporting the imposing carcass to the shore.
An autopsy carried out in Saint-Langis-Lès-Mortagne
According to Actu.fr, the whale was then transported to the Atemax rendering plant in Saint-Langis-Lès-Mortagne (Orne) by the French Biodiversity Office (OFB). This Tuesday, November 12, the OFB carried out the autopsy of the animal. The objective: to understand the causes of his death, but also to enable appropriate treatment.
Transformation into sustainable energy
The humpback whale carcass will not be lost. At the Atemax factory, which is part of the Akiolis group, it will be transformed as part of the “energy” sector. The extracted animal fats will be used to produce biodiesel, while the flours resulting from the processing will fuel boilers. However, no other reuse is planned for this whale, known for its high fat content, specifies the Akiolis group.
This process transforms a tragic situation into a sustainable energy source, while respecting the strict health and environmental protocols of the rendering industry.
