Home / Environment / Giant Whale Washes Ashore: Mystery Death Probed
Giant Whale Washes Ashore: Mystery Death Probed
24 Feb
Summary
- A 30-foot baleen whale carcass was discovered on Paradip beach.
- The decomposed whale showed signs of entanglement and possible ship impact.
- Viscera samples were collected for analysis to determine the cause of death.
A nearly 30-foot long baleen whale carcass was discovered on Tuesday morning on Paradip beach, located within the Bhitarkanika National Park. Fishermen returning from sea first spotted the deceased marine animal and alerted locals, who shared images and videos on social media.
Upon inspection, forest officials noted the whale's carcass was significantly decomposed, exhibiting scars and indications of prior entanglement. Officials suspect this, or a collision with a ship or fishing vessel, may have led to its death at sea before washing ashore.
Veterinary experts have collected viscera samples from the whale for laboratory analysis at the Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology in Bhubaneswar. The exact cause of death is pending the lab report, and officials are maintaining a guard over the carcass.
This species, identified as a baleen whale (also known as a toothless whale), is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and is classified as endangered by the IUCN.
