Beached Whale Installation Shocks Azerbaijan as COP29 Begins

On the shores of the Caspian Sea near Baku, Azerbaijan, people have been captivated by an astonishing sight: a massive 52-foot sperm whale sprawled across the beach. With its overpowering stench and sheer size, the creature looks completely out of place in the world’s largest inland body of water, where sperm whales do not exist. Curious crowds gather daily, some seeing a whale of this size for the very first time.

But this whale isn’t real—it’s an elaborate and hyper-realistic model crafted by Captain Boomer, a Belgian art collective known for creating immersive installations aimed at raising awareness about ecological issues, particularly the impact of Climate change. Made using molds from actual whales, the installation emits a putrid odor due to buckets of rotting fish placed nearby, lending authenticity to the experience. Bart Van Peel, a member of Captain Boomer, explained, “When we think the story is right, we pop up in a city.”

Timed with the COP29 climate summit hosted in Baku, the whale’s presence serves as a powerful commentary on the environmental challenges being discussed by global leaders. “People feel that their bond with nature is disturbed,” Van Peel noted, adding that the installation aims to blur lines between fact and fiction, challenging onlookers to rethink their relationship with the environment.

The whale’s journey to Azerbaijan was a lengthy one, transported by truck from Belgium and crossing Europe, Turkey, and Georgia. Captain Boomer’s efforts were supported by Azerbaijani activist Adnan Hussein, founder of the FINS initiative focused on marine Conservation, who helped secure official approval for the project. For the duration of the climate conference, the installation is accompanied by theatrical performances where collective members act as “scientists,” constructing stories to help explain the fictional whale’s presence—suggesting it may have lost its way due to the effects of Climate change.

As global temperatures rise, marine life, including whales, faces increasing threats, from shifting food sources to disruptions in migration patterns. These changes can drive them closer to human activities, increasing risks from fishing and shipping. For Van Peel, seeing crowds gather around the installation and react deeply underscores the whale’s purpose.

Please sign this petition to Demand Justice for Butchered Dolphin!

Related Content:

• Five Rescued Beached Whales
• With More Beached Whales Washing Up Than Ever Before, Officials Wonder How to Get Rid of Them
• 32 Out Of 200 Beached Whales in Tasmania Have Been Rescued
• Three Beached Whales on Greek Island Likely Linked to Seismic Testing

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Adopt-a-Pet: Visit WildWatchers, a watchdog platform specifically designed for animal, earth, and wildlife warriors to actively give back, rescue, and protect animals and the planet.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!