DJ Venkatesh
Smith Island, Diglipur, Dec 19: A dead whale washed ashore in Smith Island beach at Diglipur, was spotted today.
The 5.25 metre long, nearly 800 kg in weight, Beaked Whale was sighted by the staff of forest department, who is posted at Ross & Smith Island to look after the beach. Soon the matter was informed to the wildlife Division at Mayabunder. Immediately Team lead by Forest Ranger (wildlife) K P Abdul Rasheed, Wildlife Foresters, A Muhsin and B C Biswas alongwith Veterinary department staff Shankar & Salam reached the spot.
Due to the whale’s location, behind the sea wall, on a rocky shore, it was very difficult to bring heavy equipments, needed to remove such a large animal from the beach. Hence the team anyhow brought the Whale to sandy shore by using locally available tree trunks and ropes. After Post Mortem the team buried the Whale at the beach, as soon as the tide receded.
There are about 20 different species of beaked whales in the world’s oceans. Their key distinguishing feature is the presence of a ‘beak’, somewhat similar to that of most dolphin species. The team after confirming the identity with mainland division declared it as a Female Beaked Whale.
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