An opportunistic drive hunt of long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) in the Netherlands in 1825

Authors: Phil W. Koken, Justin J.F.J. Jansen & Erwin J.O. Kompanje

Abstract: In this article, a reconstruction is made of an opportunistic drive hunt of a pod of about 38 long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) which took place on 9 April 1825 near St. Philipsland (Zeeland, the Netherlands). The reconstruction is based on published and non-published documents, artistic impressions, and five complete skeletons and one stuffed skin in Belgian and Dutch museums. For at least five, maybe even six but perhaps even up to twelve, whales of this drive hunt a partial or complete timeline is reconstructed.